Cuong Hong Nguyen: A story of resilience
Cuong Hong Nguyen is an Educational Manager at the E4T English Center in Vietnam. Cuong also happens to be living with Cerebral Palsy (CP), and does not let this stop him from achieving his dreams. Cuong’s friends often refer to him as “the happy guy with CP.” Dr Yen Thanh states, “He is one of the most positive people living with CP in Vietnam.”
Cuong has been one of the biggest supporters of Yen Thanh’s mission to replace the current Vietnamese term “bại não” with the English term “Cerebral Palsy” and its abbreviation “CP”. Cuong states the term “bại não” implies that he has no cognition and influences people’s perceptions of him. When people look at Cuong they often remark, “He is bại não. Can he even talk?” and this is exactly why Yen Thanh and Cuong are so passionate about changing the Vietnamese terminology for CP. Being labeled as “bại não” often leads individuals to believe that you are incapable of learning and processing information. Yet this is not correct. Yen Thanh and Cuong believe replacing the current term with less stigmatising words will help individuals further understand CP and ultimately change the way people view individuals living with CP.
As a teacher living with CP Cuong has difficulties with pronunciation, but that is easily fixed by having a teaching assistant with him in the classroom. Cuong has been fortunate enough to receive an electrical wheelchair, allowing him to travel around the city on his own with greater ease. Cuong does not deny the fact that individuals with motor dysfunctions such as CP do not live a completely independent life. Most individuals require assistance from family members or caretakers. That said, Cuong is an advocate for the independent living of individuals with CP and strives to use himself as a model for independent living. The wheelchair allows Cuong to further his independence and show others that it is possible for him to engage in daily activities on his own.
Dr Yen Thanh states, “If there is a good system in place [individuals living with CP] can live a productive life and can earn money, which can in turn be paid back in order to continue with an assistance program.” Support systems can help give individuals living with CP a sense of fulfillment. Hopes of creating such a system can only come about by further educating communities about CP. Changing the terminology can serve as the catalyst to the change Yen Thanh and Cuong want to see.
To read more about Dr Yen Thanh’s mission to change the Vietnamese translation of CP click here
Cuong has been one of the biggest supporters of Yen Thanh’s mission to replace the current Vietnamese term “bại não” with the English term “Cerebral Palsy” and its abbreviation “CP”. Cuong states the term “bại não” implies that he has no cognition and influences people’s perceptions of him. When people look at Cuong they often remark, “He is bại não. Can he even talk?” and this is exactly why Yen Thanh and Cuong are so passionate about changing the Vietnamese terminology for CP. Being labeled as “bại não” often leads individuals to believe that you are incapable of learning and processing information. Yet this is not correct. Yen Thanh and Cuong believe replacing the current term with less stigmatising words will help individuals further understand CP and ultimately change the way people view individuals living with CP.
As a teacher living with CP Cuong has difficulties with pronunciation, but that is easily fixed by having a teaching assistant with him in the classroom. Cuong has been fortunate enough to receive an electrical wheelchair, allowing him to travel around the city on his own with greater ease. Cuong does not deny the fact that individuals with motor dysfunctions such as CP do not live a completely independent life. Most individuals require assistance from family members or caretakers. That said, Cuong is an advocate for the independent living of individuals with CP and strives to use himself as a model for independent living. The wheelchair allows Cuong to further his independence and show others that it is possible for him to engage in daily activities on his own.
Dr Yen Thanh states, “If there is a good system in place [individuals living with CP] can live a productive life and can earn money, which can in turn be paid back in order to continue with an assistance program.” Support systems can help give individuals living with CP a sense of fulfillment. Hopes of creating such a system can only come about by further educating communities about CP. Changing the terminology can serve as the catalyst to the change Yen Thanh and Cuong want to see.
To read more about Dr Yen Thanh’s mission to change the Vietnamese translation of CP click here
