Disabled swimmer Tran Van Dieu before a relay competition at the national paragames in Quang Tri Province in May

From small beginnings, training for his province’s disabled swimming team in a river, Tran Van Dieu, has progressed to win more than 60 medals and own his own business.

Before he was one year old, Dieu’s legs became paralyzed from a disease.

“I grew older but couldn’t do anything to help my parents. I had a burning desire to leave home to make a living on my own, to make it easier for my parents,” Dieu said.

“In 1995, I went to Ai Tu Town (also in Quang Tri) to work. After two years, I had saved some money. I learned carpentry and handicrafts and came back home to establish a handicraft factory and got married.”

Dieu said he started swimming by chance in 2003 – an official from the district Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism came to ask if he wanted to train to compete for the province.

Dieu agreed but the province’s sport budget was so low that there was no pool to practice in – so they trained in the Hieu River.

“It was very hard for the disabled swimming team because the river was wide and the current was strong,” Dieu said.

“At times, I thought I would quit and go home, but then I looked at everyone else. They were in the same situation but still training hard. It encouraged me to try harder.”

Dieu practiced tirelessly and later that year won three gold medals in a provincial competition.

It was very encouraging for him and soon after that Dieu grabbed four golds in a national swimming competition for disabled people and three silvers at the Southeast Asian Paragames the same year.

Training disabled workers

Dieu said training with the team in the Hieu River was the first time he had spent a lot of time with other disabled people. It inspired him to help underprivileged people.

“I realized I was luckier than many of them as I was earning a living on my own and taking care of my family.”

After building up his carpentry and handicraft business for about a decade, his factory had gained a good reputation in the province.

“I wished to help disadvantaged people get a job and a stable life like me,” he said.

His dream came true in 2007 when he had saved enough money from his business and cash prizes from swimming competitions to set up Xuan Dieu Enterprises.

He now employs 16 workers including eight disabled people and orphans. Dieu said he is happy to help them but would like to be able to afford to pay them more. It’s fortunate his wife and family support him, he said.

Some of the people he has trained have established their own businesses.

At the national paragames in Quang Tri earlier this month, Dieu took two golds, one silver and one bronze. He said he is passionate about swimming because it keeps him healthy and has helped him make friends who have disabilities like him.

Reported by Tay Nguyen – Thanh Thang