Train accident left toddler with a crushed leg

Following a tragic train accident in 2006, Danh, then 18 months old, lost his left leg, sexual organ and anus. He has since been growing up with his disabilities.

Danh, then only a toddler was at home with his mother; his father a veterinary surgeon was working away from home. His mother Oanh was busy feeding pigs in the back yard and had left Danh unattended. As she is partially deaf so she was not aware of the approaching train.

Danh did not see his parents, so he toddled towards a small rail crossing where he and his mother often gone passed.

Danh was hit by the approaching train. He was thrown off the rails and lost his left leg. Neighbours later found that it had been crushed under the wheels of the train. Oanh collapsed when she heard of the accident. His father, Thi rushed back from his trip to take them to hospital in Cam Ranh for emergency treatment.

Danh was later treated in Khanh Hoa Children’s hospital. He had lost his sexual organs in the accident. He had to undergo an operation where parts of his intestine was taken out and used to construct an anus in order to release his waste matter. It was often called the “waste bag”.

Danh putting up with the pain whilst his mother cleans the “waste bag”.

After the surgery, Danh could crawl; stand up slowly and sometimes hopped on the surviving leg like a lovely kangaroo. He now stays at home with his mother when his brother is at school. Oanh now keeps a watchful eye on her son because the “waste bag” needs cleaning regularly.

Danh is always in pain after each cleaning but he does not cry. His mother, on the other hand cannot help crying whenever she sees his body covered in scares. She is worried about her son’s future.

Danh with 3 classmates

Following teacher’s instruction.

Whenever he accompanies his father to pick up his brother from kindergarten, Danh enjoys playing with the toys and would like to go to school. However, his disabilities prevent him from joining in the activities especially as vigorous movement would cause leakages from the “waste bag”.

His teacher loves him very much. Cleaning his “waste bag”, she thought how hard his life would be in the future with an artificial anus. Dang Thi My Dung, the principal of Suoi Tan infant school and his mother are trying to get him admitted in the school for disabled children to promote his development. Unfortunately, his family can not afford the school fees on their modest incomes.

After two years of treatment at the Children’s hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, local doctors have decided that the domestic medical expertise is not there yet to be able to reconstruct Danh's organs. However, the family will never give up trying and need help and support from sympathetic people.

Danh is being independent with his disabilities

Learning to draw with his brother

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