Station of Love: The man who sows hope from a wheelchair

Mr. Pham Van Thai, a quadriplegic who lost 87% of his physical ability due to cervical myelitis, once  had a hopeless outlook on  life. Yet, with willpower and compassion, he has become a pillar of support for the disabled community in the mountainous province of Cao Bang.

Born in 1980 in Cao Bang, Mr. Thai was once a healthy, tall, energetic man like many others. The turning point came unexpectedly in April 2007. After playing football   with friends, he returned home and suddenly developed a high fever. Over the following days, his limbs weakened until he lost  all movement. He went from being an active man  to being unable to stand, walk, or move his fingers with ease.

From that moment on, the wheelchair became his inseparable  companion. Life seemed to collapse in an instant.  It was at this point that Mr. Thai gained a deep understanding of the life of a person with disabilities — the physical limitations, the pitying looks, and the endless days with no apparent way forward.

Viewers will hear Pham Van Thai's childhood memories shaped by illness and  his yearning  Mr. Pham Van Thai to explore the world in his conversation with the program's host. Growing up in a poor rural area, accessing education and becoming socially integrated  were already complex journeys, but these experiences strengthened and his  resolve to live a meaningful life.

In the early days after   illness struck, Mr. Thai fell into despair and confusion. But in his darkest moments, he  found the strength to rebuild  his spirit and seek  opportunities for independent living. He boldly enrolled on a motorbike repair course, a seemingly impossible choice t  for someone with quadriplegia. This eventually led him to the Vietnam Spinal Cord Injury Association, where he met others in similar situations and gained valuable knowledge. “At the association, I learned more about disability law, how to live independently, and how to support others”, Mr. Thai shared.

Armed with this knowledge, he began to rebuild his life by opening a small shop selling groceries, dried goods, dried flowers, and handmade bamboo toys. This was not just a livelihood but also a statement that  people with disabilities can live independently and contribute to society. In 2023, driven by a desire to spread this message further afield, Mr. Thai and several friends with disabilities, along with volunteers, founded the “Support for Life” Club for people with disabilities in Cao Bang City — a space where members can share experiences, encourage one another, and overcome life’s challenges together.

Mr. Pham Van Thai and members of the Support for Life Club

Through interviews with club members, the program reveals the positive impact that  Mr. Thai has had on the community. His “extra” efforts — from serving free porridge to organizing wheelchair donations — stem from a heart that cannot ignore others’ pain. Above all, Mr. Thai  is committed to  creating sustainable livelihoods for people with disabilities, so  that they can   live independently and with dignity. In the program’s final segment, viewers will see the club’s real-world initiatives, from producing chili bamboo shoots and apple cider to create jobs, as well as charitable activities that spread love and compassion.

Despite life’s  setbacks, Mr. Pham Van Thai has chosen to rise above adversity, to love, and to give. He has become a steadfast support for  others with disabilities, helping them to   stand firm on their journeys through his spirit and concrete actions. The gift from Station of Love will accompany Mr. Thai on this humane mission.

What more is there to   reveal  about this resilient 1980s-born man from the mountains of Cao Bang?

Find out in Station of Love, themed “Support for Life”, airing at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 9, on VTV1.