better place? I'd love to know your story of "survive and serve". Here's an
example of one "Story of Survival" from SurvivorCorps.
Bui Xuan Than
Southeast Asia Vietnam
In 1992, Than and a group of other men were cultivating a field in An Giang
Province, Vietnam when a mine left over from the Vietnam War detonated,
firing debris and metal scraps in all directions. The explosion shot
shrapnel into Than¹s spine. He was paralyzed below the waist. ³I began to
bleed heavily and the sky became dark in my eyes. I fainted from the pain.²
The injuries paralyzed Than below the waist. ³The doctors and nurses did
their best to take care of me, but my spine was too badly damaged,² Than
remembers. For 15 years Than lived with very limited mobility and suffered
from depression. ³I didn¹t want to communicate with anyone. Sometimes I
wanted to die.²
Survivor Corps met Than in 2007. We helped him connect to Vietnam's Bureau
of Internal Affairs, where Than was provided with a wheelchair and access to
health care. We also linked him to a supportive community of other
survivors. Than was invited to participate in disability law trainings,
where he learned to advocate for the inclusion of people with disabilities
in society and public affairs. Than also had Survivor Corps¹ help to develop
a business weaving baskets. His baskets were recently displayed in two
well-known trade exhibitions in Hanoi. ³I¹m more empowered today, more
confident to live and produce durable goods for the community.²
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