20 Mar HERStory: Escaped Vietnam For a Better Life
She was born in Vietnam and was the oldest of four children. Her parents were secretly planning on escaping their volatile country. She remembers their father sneaking out at night to build the boat they would eventually use to escape. She recalls people in the village saying that her father was having an affair, but in reality he was planning their escape.
Her mother was strong and would raise the children and teach them to study. She remembers her mother telling her they can overcome anything.
Their village would regularly experience violence from their government. Their home was burned not just once, but three times, from their leaders to control them. Unfortunately, her younger sister experienced severe burns to her face and body during one of the fires.
It was soon after that her parents thought it was a perfect timing to escape. Their plan was to get to the United States. They took the children and only the clothes they were wearing on the boat. She remembers the boat being shot at as they were paddling away. Her baby sister nearly fell off the boat during this time as well and she recalls that being very traumatic.
After some time, the United States Coast Guard found their boat and had the family come aboard their ship. They were taken to the U.S. for a brand new life. They settled in Texas and had families sponsor them with clothing and food. Their mother would cook for several families in exchange for the supplies.
She experienced bullying in her schools for not knowing English initially. Their family appeared different than others. They didn’t have the latest clothing. They ate different meals. Their father told them that studying in school would get them far.
She feels all of this combined made her stronger than ever.
Fast forward to her in the present day, all four children are physicians who help others. She herself is a cardiologist, her sister a pulmonologist, brother a dentist, and sister a pediatrician. They each have children of their own and live nearby each other and their mother. The continue to be a strong and tight family unit.
They came from very hard times and used their family’s strength to persevere. She hopes that sharing her story will help others know that nothing is impossible – no matter where you come from or what you have.
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