In a small, simple house in Binh Vong village, Thuong Tin commune (Hanoi), Ms. Nguyen Thi Hieu (born in 1960) is fighting illness in loneliness. After many strokes, her health has declined, and she is now almost completely paralyzed, unable to walk or live like a normal person.
Born into a family of 7 siblings, Ms. Hieu is the third child. Her youth was associated with the fields and hard working days. When she was healthy, she and her parents farmed, doing whatever they hired to do to earn extra income.
Not getting married, Ms. Hieu stayed single to take care of her elderly parents. After her parents passed away, she continued to live alone in the old house in her hometown.
The incident happened about 10 years ago when she suddenly had a stroke. She was taken to Bach Mai Hospital for emergency treatment by relatives and had to be treated for nearly 20 days. The cost of medicine at that time was more than 25 million VND - a large amount of money for a poor family. Thanks to the joint help of relatives, she was able to cover hospital fees.
After the first stroke, Ms. Hieu's health deteriorated a lot, walking was difficult, and her limbs were no longer as agile as before. Even so, she still tried to manage her life herself...
Sadly, by March 2025, Ms. Hieu continued to suffer another stroke and had to be hospitalized for treatment at the General Hospital of Agriculture. After this illness, Ms. Hieu's health deteriorated further.
Currently, Ms. Hieu is almost completely paralyzed, and basic activities such as eating and personal hygiene also require the help of relatives.
In addition to complications, Ms. Hieu also suffers from prolonged musculoskeletal diseases that cause constant body aches, especially every time the weather changes. Without income, and without stable allowances, Ms. Hieu's life currently mainly relies on the support of her siblings and neighbors.
Among the people who regularly take care of Ms. Hieu is her sister-in-law, Ms. Le Thi Buoi. Although the family circumstances are not well-off and she is suffering from many diseases such as blood pressure, diabetes, kidney failure, blood fat, liver fat and bone and joint diseases, Ms. Buoi still tries to take care of her brother-in-law instead of her brothers in the family.
Many times I am in pain all over my body, but thinking about her lying in one place, no one taking care of her, I try to help. I just hope she gets better," Ms. Buoi shared.
Ms. Hieu's younger sister, Ms. Nguyen Thi Hon (born in 1964), who lives nearby, also regularly comes to take care of her sister. Ms. Hon herself also suffers from disc degeneration, cervical vertebral degeneration and fell a few months ago.
Many days she is too weak, I have to go over to sleep to look after her and change diapers for her. Seeing her sick alone like this, I am sad and very sorry...", Mrs. Hon choked up sharing.
In recent years, Ms. Hieu's family has also suffered many losses when some siblings passed away one after another, including her eldest brother Nguyen Van Nhuong who passed away two years ago.
Old age and illness surrounded her, and without her husband and children by her side, Mrs. Hieu's life became even more difficult. That woman lay there silently every day, struggling to fight against the pain of illness.
Talking to a reporter of Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Luong Khac Hung - Head of Binh Vong village, Thuong Tin commune said that Ms. Hieu's situation has been very difficult for many years. After many strokes, her health has seriously declined, and she is currently almost unable to walk or live on her own.
According to Mr. Hung, Ms. Hieu lives alone, without a husband or children to rely on, and her life mainly relies on the help of her siblings and villagers. "People around occasionally come to visit and help a little, but everyone still has many difficulties, so support is limited," Mr. Hung shared.
Mr. Hung also expressed his wish that philanthropists and benefactors would pay attention and help Ms. Hieu to have more conditions to treat her illness and cover living expenses in the coming time.
All help for life situation LD26063 please send to Tam Long Vang Charity Social Fund - 51 Hang Bo, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. Account number (STK) 113000000758 at Vietinbank Hoan Kiem Branch, Hanoi; Account number: 0021000303088 - at Vietcombank Hanoi Branch; Account number: 12410001122556 - at BIDV Hoan Kiem Branch.
Or contact directly Ms. Le Thi Buoi - Ms. Hieu's sister-in-law via phone number: 034 8898072.
