Nguyen Thi Thu, an administrative officer with a local company in Ho Chi Minh City and her husband, a medical doctor at a local hospital, have a 19-year-old daughter, Nguyen Ha Thanh, who has an intellectual disability. Thanh is the older of the couple's two children. Because she was not accepted to enroll in mainstream schools, and there is a lack of special education schools in the city, her parents paid for a home tutor an expensive solution that not all parents can afford.
While attending an international disability forum in Bangkok, Thailand, Thu learned about Special Olympics. Once back home, she contacted Special Olympics Vietnam and immediately became involved. Thanh signed up to play bocce once a week at Open University in Ho Chi Minh City.
This activity has been a godsend for Thanh. Now Thu wants her daughter to learn how to swim too. She has rounded up more than 20 parents to start a swimming club for people with intellectual disabilities.
"My daughter watches TV all day," said Thu. "I want her to go out more, to make friends and join outdoor activities. Special Olympics is a dream come true for me and other families in my group."
