May 19, 2013 marked a turning point that forever changed the life of Nguyen Tuan Anh (born 1989, Binh Dinh). At the time, he was a final-year biology student at Hue University of Sciences, rushing to complete his graduation thesis. While riding his motorcycle to the lab, he was caught in a sudden hailstorm with strong winds. A large branch from an old flamboyant tree broke off and struck his back. The severe injuries included fractures to his T11 and T12 vertebrae, complete spinal cord damage, and four broken ribs that punctured his lung, causing pleural effusion and permanent loss of mobility in both legs.
When he regained consciousness in the ICU, Tuan Anh fully grasped his grim reality. As a biology major, he understood his condition better than anyone. “I knew I would never walk again. But I didn’t want to be a burden on my family. I had to do something to become a ‘lighter load’ and be fully independent”, he said on the show. From his hospital bed, Tuan Anh completed his graduation thesis and earned his engineering degree with honors just a few months after the accident, his first step in overcoming adversity.
After the accident, as his body gradually recovered, Tuan Anh turned to orchids as a way to heal his soul and build an independent life. On the stage of Station of Love, he brought with him a vibrant basket of orchids as a gift to the show, a symbol of his love for nature and his resilient spirit. Tuan Anh shared that orchids have become a special companion. Taking care of them is no easy task, but the patience and perseverance required in nurturing orchids helped him rediscover peace and meaning in life.
From his early days of learning to grow orchids, they were not only a hobby but gradually became a source of income that allowed him to be financially independent. With an academic background in biology, Tuan Anh applied scientific methods to orchid care, adjusting light, humidity, and mastering grafting techniques. Over time, his orchid garden blossomed into a living “work of art” that was both the fruit of his labor and a testament to his ability to overcome adversity. However, he did not stop at being an “orchid garden owner”. “I want to do something bigger, not just for myself, but for others who share the same struggles”, he confided.
Tuan Anh’s journey was not only one of physical hardship but also a profound mental battle. In the early days following his injury, he faced overwhelming despair. But instead of succumbing to darkness, he chose to confront it head-on. He told himself that he had to live, not only to honor his parents, but to prove that misfortune does not define a person.
Cruel gossip and hurtful assumptions from some people around him once weighed heavily on the young engineer’s mind. But Tuan Anh didn’t let the negativity consume him. He began translating books, writing, and engaging in community activities. “I want to spread hope to others, so they can see that no matter how tough life gets, we can still find light”, he said. This mindset led him to co-found the Vietnam Spinal Cord Injury Club, where he has served as deputy head since 2018.
Not content with just earning his engineering degree, Tuan Anh continued pursuing his academic dreams. He applied for and won a prestigious master’s scholarship in Australia. In the program’s “Door of Compassion” segment, his classmate from Australia, Ms. Nguyen Thi Thuy Chau, made a surprise appearance. She shared: “I was deeply impressed by Tuan Anh’s perseverance and thirst for knowledge. His application stood out not just for his achievements but for his inspiring story of overcoming adversity”.
During his time in Australia, Tuan Anh didn’t just study, he also gained hands-on experience in disability support policy. After graduation, he returned to Vietnam and volunteered at "Nghi Luc Song" (Will to Live), a social enterprise co-founded by Ms. Nguyen Thi Van. Together, they shared a mission to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. “I want to use what I’ve learned to address policy gaps so that people with disabilities can better access their rights”, Tuan Anh said.
He also hopes that the Vietnam Spinal Cord Injury Club can grow into a stronger bridge, one that empowers people with disabilities not only to live independently but also to have a voice in society. His master’s degree is more than a personal milestone, it’s a tool for realizing greater aspirations.
This week’s episode of Station of Love closed with a heartfelt gift from the show’s partner organization to Tuan Anh, along with a message: “There are people who, when life does not smile upon them, choose to smile back and extend a helping hand to others. Nguyen Tuan Anh is a living testament to the spirit of ‘for others’, a journey not just of overcoming, but of uplifting an entire community”.
