Tu’s Second Chance

Originally uploaded by interplast

My Tho, Vietnam-Teresa Olson, Interplast development coordinator.

We have been in My Tho now for a little over a week. The team has gotten the routine down, and it is giving me more time to go and meet with some of the families. It is touching to see the mother's bright smiles when I come into the room. The children, too often weary from surgery are surprisingly happy and energetic. Today I met a young woman named Tu. She is 20 years old and incredibly beautiful. She had already received a surgery for her cleft palate over a decade ago, but the wound did not heal correctly and she was still very embarrassed about the deformity in her lip and nose. I was overwhelmed with sadness when I learned that Tu had dropped out of school in the 10th grade because she knew that even with a diploma she would not be hired by any larger company (which pays more) because of her deformity. She now works at a fish canning factory for very little money. She has wanted to have this surgery for many years now, but to pay for it herself would cost three years of her wages. Tu is afraid to speak to strangers because they stare at her lip. She is also afraid to be in a relationship because she believes it will only cause her pain. Her life, thus far, has been filled with rejection. Her hope, now, is that this surgery will make her more confident and allow her to build a better life for herself.

Comments

[Pippa Gardner]

I love hearing inspirational stories like this one! It is really like being given a second chance at life!! Smile Train is an outstanding organization that does over 300 procedures day to help children with cleft pallets! Check out there website Smile Train