Introduction
At age 11, Đặng Thị Vân Anh from Nam Vượng village, Ngư Lộc commune, Hậu Lộc district, Thanh Hoá province, has undergone two facial surgeries. With her dark skin and bright eyes, Vân Anh’s childhood was far from smooth, as she was born with a congenital cleft lip and palate. Despite numerous challenges, with support from her family and charitable organizations, Vân Anh had the opportunity to change her life through “free” surgeries. This is the story of her journey overcoming obstacles and finding her smile again.
Main Content
A Difficult Start: Living with Cleft Lip and Palate
Vân Anh was born with a cleft lip and palate, which caused many daily challenges. This condition not only made eating difficult but also affected her language development and overall health. When she was born, both Vân Anh and her twin sister were weak and had to be kept in incubators. However, her sister was luckier, while Vân Anh faced greater difficulties due to her condition.
Each time she saw her daughter, her mother, Nguyễn Thị Thanh, felt heartbroken. “She was so frail that everyone felt scared. Some even advised me to give up on her, but I couldn’t do it. Every child has the right to live and be cared for,” shared Mrs. Thanh.
Vân Anh before her cleft lip and palate surgery (Photo: Hạnh Linh).
Free Surgeries: A Ray of Hope
In 2013, Mrs. Thanh married Mr. Đặng Văn Hòa, and they had twins. When Vân Anh was over one year old, her grandfather, Mr. Đặng Văn Điều, learned about the “free surgery” program by Operation Smile Vietnam. He registered for the program with hope that his granddaughter would get the surgery and find her smile again.
By the end of 2015, Vân Anh was taken to Military Central Hospital 108 for examination and surgery. After the surgery, the gap in her lip and palate was closed, helping her develop her language skills better. At age three, Vân Anh began speaking and developing normally.
However, by 2020, Vân Anh needed a second surgery to improve her facial appearance. Her poor health worried everyone. But a miracle happened after 45 minutes of surgery; Vân Anh gradually woke up and recovered well.
Vân Anh developed normally after her surgeries. She attends Ngư Lộc Primary School No. 1 (Photo: Hạnh Linh).
The Importance of Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery
Cleft lip and palate not only affect appearance but also cause significant daily challenges. According to Mr. Nguyễn Văn Quang, Chairman of Ngư Lộc Commune People’s Committee, children with this condition often feel self-conscious and shy away from social interactions. They face difficulties in eating and language development, which can impact their learning and social integration.
Mr. Quang said, “Cleft lip and palate surgeries are like miracles for disabled children. Post-surgery, these children overcome eating difficulties, improve their daily lives, and gain confidence. From there, they have hope and faith in a brighter future.”
The “Free” Surgery Program: Bringing Hope to Children
Since 2010, the Thanh Hoá Child Welfare Fund has collaborated with Operation Smile Vietnam and the Vietnam Child Welfare Fund to perform over 400 free surgeries for children with cleft conditions in the region. Thousands of children have been screened and operated on, improving their health and confidence in life.
Mr. Lại Thế Quảng, Director of the Thanh Hoá Child Welfare Fund, shared, “Surgeries not only reduce physical deformities, restoring healthy faces and smiles, but also erase complexes and mend both physical and mental wounds. From here, children gain confidence, take control of their lives, integrate, and develop normally. We are honored to be the ‘bridge’ bringing happiness and hope to less fortunate children. The smiles and joy of these families are our motivation to continue working hard.”
Conclusion
Vân Anh’s journey to find her smile is a testament to the power of perseverance and kindness. Free surgeries not only help children overcome physical disabilities but also bring them confidence and hope for the future. With support from charitable organizations and the community, many children like Vân Anh have the chance to change their lives and live happily. This meaningful campaign brings joy and hope to disadvantaged children.
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