A Family’s Love in the Shadow of Agent Orange

family living with the affect of Agent Orange.

During my visit to A Lưới, I asked to meet a family affected by Agent Orange. What I didn’t expect was how deeply moved I would be after meeting Tran Dang Duong and his parents.

Tran lives with a severe neurological condition that has affected his development. He struggles to hold up his head and cannot crawl or walk. His body is often tense with tremors, and he becomes cold easily. Yet, despite these challenges, one thing is clear: he knows his mother’s voice. Each time she calls his name, his eyes search for her, and a soft smile appears on his face.

The family receives limited financial aid, but it is far from enough. His seizure medication is extremely expensive, and without consistent access to healthcare, their options are painfully limited. Most days, their son sleeps, waking only for brief moments of comfort in his parents’ arms.

Although medication helps reduce his seizures, the family still does not have a diagnosis. Blood work and imaging tests are simply unaffordable. Without them, doctors cannot fully understand his condition or plan proper treatment.

For families like Tran’s, affordable access to healthcare isn’t a luxury, it’s a lifeline. For $300, children like Tran could receive proper evaluations, with the hope for better treatment, and more moments of connection with the people who love them most.

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From all of us at Hong Lien Foundation, we thank you for your support.