LookAtVietnam – Standing at less than one metre and weighing only 13 kilogrammes, Canh Duy Khanh is often mistaken for a first grade student

Standing at less than one metre and weighing only 13 kilogrammes, Canh Duy Khanh is often mistaken for a first grade student. But in fact, he is a first year student at Hanoi Industrial University.

“Like many other children, I was born healthy, weighing three kilogrammes. My mother said that I had a chubby face. However, I have not grown since I was three years old. When I was 10, I was only 80 centimetres tall,” Khanh related.

Khanh’s elder brother, Canh Chi Long, is also a tiny student, studying at FPT University in Hanoi. He suffers from the same disease as Khanh. Long is 1.15 metres tall and weighs 24 kilogrammes. Khanh and Long live in a rented room in Hanoi as both of them are studying at universities. Khanh and Long do everything themselves, from going to the market and making meals to washing clothes.

Their room is very small, 8 square metres, just enough for a bed and a computer. When asked “How can you both share such a small bed?” – Khanh smiled and replied: “The small bed fits us. Especially, it seems to be too large in winter.”

Feeling sorry for his two sons, their father, Canh Chi Dan, took Khanh and Long to many hospitals to seek treatment. Doctors asserted that they could not do anything.

“I know that my parents are very sad because of my disease,” Khanh admitted. “I was teased by my friends while growing up. I felt discouraged,” he continued. “Sometimes I thought that I would have to give up school, but, I changed my mind. I think that I must not lose my will, or I will lose everything.”

Thanks to his iron will, and encouragement from parents, friends and teachers, the tiny boy has overcome his difficulties to become a university student.

Khanh began going to school when he was eight years old and graduated from primary, secondary and then high school. Khanh always did well, even though he faced a lot of difficulties in studying.

As Khanh was very small, he did not have to attend physical exercises, but he loves sports. He was not strong enough to play with friends, so during in break times, he regularly played football with lower graders. Khanh likes football very much and his favorite footballer is Ronaldinho.

When asked about his studies, Khanh noted that he always listened with concentration to his teachers, so that he could understand everything during class hours. At home, Khanh reviewed lessons and did exercises. When he had free time, he liked watching TV news, listening to music, playing with children or helping his parents.

Khanh added that his parents, sisters and especially his elder brother are always examples for him to follow. His brother, Long, studies very well.

Though Khanh is tiny, his dreams are very big. Both Khanh and Long are studying to become software programmers. “I hope I can find a job at a computer company. If not, we will borrow money from someone to open a shop specializing in designing and maintaining websites,” Khanh revealed.

Source: Dan tri