School Picnic

Check out the adorable short video of Thien Nhan's first day of preschool that his mom, Mai Anh, posted on Youtube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIEedKJCUYI . Since the clip was posted yesterday, more than 2,200 people have already watched Thien Nhan and his litte classmates engage in a make-believe picnic. At the start of the video Thien Nhan correctly identifies a plastic hot dog. "He ate lots of sausages when he was in the US," explains Mai Anh. "He loves them."

First Day of School

Today was Thien Nhan's first day of school, courtesy of international Hanoi preschool Sunrise Kids, which has given the tot free tuition! Journalists from VN Express were on hand to film Thien Nhan's trip to school, which was made along with dad Nghinh and big brother, Little Minh, 3, who helped Thien Nhan to get ready and carried his satchel (pictured). The two brothers will study in the same class.

At school, Thien Nhan was thrilled to discover two choices of snacks--toast or rice porridge. While he could not join in the more active morning exercises he participated from the sidelines, copying the other kids and raising his arms and leg to the music. "I think he'll really enjoy school," said his mom Mai Anh. "He is very sociable and learns quickly."

Thank You Saigon Yoga Mala!

Sunday's 2008 Saigon Yoga Mala was a terrific success with some 50 people of all nationalities coming together at Dancenter to raise US$1,200 for Thien Nhan! Thanks to Nicky Poole of Breathing Room Yoga (www.breathingroomyoga.com/) for organizing this beautifully-run event; to Dancenter (www.dancentervn.com/) for providing such a fantastic, spacious venue; to Patricia and Michelle for teaching; to La Reunion des Marmites for supplying delicious restorative cakes; and to Pierre for his expert filming. "There was such great, positive energy at this event," said Elke, who collected the donations on Thien Nhan's behalf. "It was so moving to have all of those people eager to help this brave little boy."
(Top photo: Yoga teachers Nicky, Patricia & Michelle)

Stretch & Shop!

As well as leaving you fit, energized and relaxed, tomorrow's Saigon Yoga Mala is a fantastic way to support Thien Nhan! Starting at 3pm, Nicky Poole of Breathing Room Yoga and other international volunteer yoga teachers will lead participants through a series of 108 sun salutations. Entry is via donation, with all proceeds going to support Thien Nhan.

To raise further funds for this special child, Elke Ray will be on hand to sell bubbafish toys. Founded and co-owned by Elke and Thien Nhan's adoptive mom Mai Anh, bubbafish produces quirky, handmade soft toys and baby accessories. Since 30% percent of bubbafish sales at the Yoga Mala will go to the Help Thien Nhan Fund, why not buy your Christmas presents early this year? This is your first chance to buy bubbafish's newest characters like Gertie the Goat (above, $10).

Where: Dancenter, 46/2 Nguyen Cuu Van, Binh Thanh District, HCM City

When: Sunday, September 21st, 3pm (but come early for check-in)

Contact: nicky@breathingroomyoga.com

Chew Love

Singaporean comic artist CC Lee http://chewonitcomics.blogspot.com/ has done it again, pulling in another US$2,112 (S$3,107) of donations for Thien Nhan from the kind people of Singapore! Lee then chipped in a lucky $88 to bring the sum up to $2,200. So far, this amazing cartoonist--who has yet to meet Thien Nhan--has raised close to US$17,000 for the tot from his fans and colleagues, plus chipped in over US$1,200 of his own cash. Thanks to CC Lee's and Singapore's continued support, Thien Nhan has lots to smile about!

Moon Cake Fun

Last Sunday, kids across Vietnam celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival, which typically involves lion dances, lantern processions and traditional games and sweets, including moon cakes. On this special night, Thien Nhan and his brothers Big Minh and Little Minh attended a party at the office of their mom, Mai Anh. Along with other traditional entertainments, the kids participated in a moon-cake-eating contest, in which they attempted to eat moon cakes that were strung on a rope. Despite having to balance on one leg throughout the game, guess who emerged the winner? Thien Nhan easily beat the competition, consuming a grand total of THREE mooncakes! "He's starting to look like a moon cake himself," joked mom Mai Anh. "There is nothing he will not eat!"Looking at the tot now, it's hard to believe that just six months ago Thien Nhan was malnourished, anemic and suffering from chronic diahrrea.

Play Time

Thien Nhan doesn't let the loss of his right leg stop him from having fun. The 2-year-old crawls very fast and can climb like a little monkey. To see more photos of Thien Nhan and his parents playing in a New Hampshire park, check out the photos of Barry Bland at the link below:

http://barrybland.typepad.com/my_weblog/thien-n.html

New Friends

Thien Nhan received overwhelming support from the American-Vietnamese community during his August trip for surgery in the US. "One family drove for a whole day all the way from Canada just to see him," recalls Thien Nhan's mom, Mai Anh. Everywhere they went, people recognized Thien Nhan from local press reports and showered him with attention, food and gifts. In this photo, the tot (left) poses with Dr. Tam Nguyen and his son Chan-Tam in the home of Cathy Lam, the family's gracious host during their stay in Orange County. No stranger to kids in need of help, Dr. Tam makes regular trips to Vietnam where he performs free-of-charge surgery for needy kids suffering from cleft palates and other facial irregularities.

Moving Pictures

Renowned photographer Barry Bland, best known for his wildlife photography, snapped some wonderful images of Thien Nhan when he met the toddler in New Hampshire, USA. To see more of Barry's work, visit his blog at http://barrybland.typepad.com/ As well as capturing some of what Thien Nhan has been through, these photos reveal the tot's strong character and irrepressible spirt.

Brothers

Since Thien Nhan got home from the US late last week he's been inseperable from his 3-year-old brother, Little Minh, who'd stayed back in Hanoi. "When they met at the airport they hugged for a long time," says mom Mai Anh. "Now they play together non-stop and really stick together." Mai Anh also reports that Thien Nhan has been sleeping better since his urethral surgery.

Funny Money

A big THANK YOU to Singaporean comic artist CC Lee and to his many generous friends, colleagues and readers! Since hearing about Thien Nhan's plight in the Singapore Straits Times newspaper, CC Lee has collected US$14,803 for the tot from the kind people of Singapore, plus donated more than US$1,100 of his own money. CC Lee's latest collection drive raised S$2,080, or US$1,463, to which Lee then added US$237 to round the figure up to US$1,700. Special thanks to all monthly and repeat donors for their continued love and support for Thien Nhan! To see some more of CC Lee's comics, go to http://chewonitcomics.blogspot.com/

Back Home in Hanoi

Following a very successful trip to the US for urethral surgery and prosthetic care, Thien Nhan and his parents arrived back in Hanoi yesterday. After reuniting with Thien Nhan's brothers, Big Minh and Little Minh (Little Minh, 3, shown here with Mai Anh), the family's top priority was to get some traditional Vietnamese home-cooking. After all that rushing around in the US, mom Mai Anh's weight has dropped down to just 35kg! Thien Nhan, Mai Anh and dad Nghinh will spend the next few days recuperating from jetlag and eating all of their favorite dishes. . .

Yoga Mala

On September 21st, UN International Peace Day, yoga communities around the world traditionally participate in the Yoga Mala charity event (http://www.globalmala.org/) to raise money for worthy causes. We are thrilled that the Saigon Yoga Mala, hosted by Nicky Poole of Breathing Room Yoga (http://www.breathingroomyoga.com/), has chosen to donate all proceeds towards Thien Nhan's ongoing medical care.

Both experienced yogis and beginners are welcome at this transformational yoga practice, which will take place at 3pm on Sunday, September 21st at Dancenter, 46/2 Nguyen Cuu Van, Binh Thanh District, HCM City. Participants will be guided through 108 sun salutations, with plenty of time for rest, meditation and contemplation. Whether you're new to yoga or a longtime devotee, please come out and support Thien Nhan!

For more info, please email Nicky at nicky@breathingroomyoga.com

Step by Step

Son Michael Pham of Seattle-based Kids Without Borders, co-sponsors of Thien Nhan's trip to the US, snapped this photo of his wife Judy and Thien Nhan, engaged in conversation at their hosts' home in LA. Judy, speaking in English, was encouraging Thien Nhan to use his new walker, while Thien Nhan, speaking in Vietnamese, was saying that he wanted to do it himself and in his own way. Listening in on their conversation it was clear that Judy, who has taught special education for almost three decades, is an exceptional teacher, while Thien Nhan has the determination to achieve miracles.

On Sunday night Thien Nhan and his family bid farewell to US trip organisers Na Huong and Bac Sy ("Doctor") Greig, as Thien Nhan calls Greig Craft, who has accompanied the tot on so many of his medical appointments in Vietnam and the US. Leaving their family and work in Hanoi, Greig and Na Huong traveled 10,000 miles at their own expense to be with Thien Nhan every step of the way on his US journey. Thien Nhan and his parents are now looking forward to going home and reuniting with Thien Nhan's brothers--Big Minh, 8, and Little Minh, 3.

Best Wishes

Since we first started to publicize Thien Nhan's fight for a better life in mid-March 2008, we have received hundreds of emails from people around the world, offering encouragement and support.

Casey Jones of Malta, NY sent us the following note after having read about Thien Nhan in the New Hampshire Union Leader:

"I was very touched when I heard about this little boy... Please send my blessings to his parents. My wife and I adopted a young boy from Russia that has special medical needs himself. Although it can be difficult, it is also very rewarding to see them grow. It's probably difficult for people to understand, but I still think that I gained more from adopting Mischa than he did. It's also very disturbing to know that these children probably wouldn'thave survived without being adopted. I just pray that people see the story of Thien Nhan and realize that there are so many children around the world waiting for adoption.

He looks like such a happy boy and can get into all the normal"trouble" that a two year old can. Thank you for all the work that you are doing and I look forward to watching Thien's progress. All I can say is that God has some great things in mind for this precisious little boy. I have made a donation and will continue to tell people about Thien Nhan..."

The Union Leader article and more readers' comments may be found at: http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Mauled+toddler+visits+Granite+State+for+surgery&articleId=4ad88435-aab6-4bcd-b929-31d411dbeb32

Generous Hearts

Followers and friends of the Cao Dai, a religious group founded in southern Vietnam in the 1930’s that promotes charitable works, have raised US$2,110 for Thien Nhan. LA residents Hien Cao and Khai rallied their friends who live all over the US and in Vietnam to support Thien Nhan. Many thanks to Khai Tang, Tuan Le & Tran, Huynh Nhut-Anh Jaxon, Doan Tran & Van Bui, Hien Cao & Nhi Hang, Bác Khanh Bui, Que Bui & Sister, Tami Phan, Thao Doan & Duyen Nguyen, Ai-Lien Dang, Ha Pham & Giao Huynh, Nghi Le, John Tran and My Bui, Quyen Bui, Tu Anh Huynh & Duy, Quy, Oanh & Cat Tien, Kevin Tran (son of Danh & Ha), Chau Ma & Binh, Trang Duong, Nhi Peter Vo, Xoa Lam, Hue Tang, Vannic Tang, and Kenny Truong, Ha T. Nguyen, and Huong L. Tran.

Special thanks to Hien Cao and Khai, who met Thien Nhan and his parents for a very enjoyable dinner in LA on Friday night. The only time that 2-year-old Thien Nhan stopped chattering was to eat his fried chicken and French fries!

In Little Saigon

Thien Nhan and his parents arrived in California this afternoon, for a few days' stay in Newport Beach. Mom Mai Anh was thrilled to find that their hosts had stocked the house with lots of their favorite foods from Vietnam. She looks forward to making some home-cooked meals. Tomorrow (Friday) will be a day to sleep in, rest and visit with friends in Little Saigon. Son Micheal Pham and his wife Judy, founders of Seattle-based Kids Without Borders and co-sponsors of Thien Nhan's US trip, will arrive in LA late Friday evening. On Saturday morning, the family will meet reporters at Little Saigon Radio & Television, followed by an interview with Saigon Broadcasting Television, which will be aired on cable throughout the US.

In Boston, Thien Nhan and his parents bid a fond (and temporary) farewell to AIPF's Greig Craft and Na Huong (http://www.asiainjury.org/), who did such an amazing job of organizing Thien Nhan's medical care in Dartmouth and Chicago. Paying all of their own travel expenses, the Hanoi-based Greig and Na Huong accompanied Thien Nhan on every step of this remarkable journey, ensuring the trip's success. Here's a brief exerpt from a letter sent to Greig Craft from English teacher Mr. Tran Tuan Viet, who correctly recognized Greig Craft's invaluable contributions to Thien Nhan's recovery:

..."I really admire the generous actions you did for [Thien Nhan's] adoptive mother Tran Mai Anh, whose heart and mind are noble . . . How many unfortunate newborn babies have been abandoned and what are their fates on earth? Fortunately, there are noble minds, generous hearts, charitable organizations and donors who work to try to relieve pain and bring brightness and hope to these children's world. You are one of them. . . I really admire your humane and generous actions. Good health and happiness!"...

Heading West

Following further consultations, doctors at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago decided that Thien Nhan is too young and small to receive a high-tech prosthetic leg at present. He will spend a few more years practicing with a non-jointed limb and a new frame walker, to aid his balance and muscle-development. By the time he starts school Thien Nhan should receive a prosthetic that will allow him much greater mobility.

With the Chicago appointments wrapped up sooner than anticipated, tomorrow morning the family will fly to L.A., their final destination in the US before heading home. There, they will visit Little Saigon, home to the biggest community of Vietnamese people in the US, and attend some fund-raisers. The family will be staying at the home of Cathy Ha Lam, founder of the nonprofit organization Our One World (http://www.our1world.org/). While their journey to the US has exceeded everyone's expectations, Mai Anh, Nghinh and Thien Nhan will be happy to go home and see Thien Nhan's brothers, Big Minh, 8, and Little Minh, 3, who have been very well-behaved, brave little boys during their parents' long absence.

[Photo shows Dr. Theresa Clancy helping Thien Nhan to practice with his new walker]

Acts of Kindness

On August 26th, Thien Nhan met 10 (yes, 10!) doctors and prosthetic specialists at the Chicago Rehabilitation Center. The excitement and emotion are building in anticipation of Thien Nhan being fitted with a new leg. At this time, Thien Nhan's mom Mai Anh and trip organizer Greig Craft want to thank some of the unsung heroes who have helped to make Thien Nhan's US trip so remarkable.

Thanks to Jennifer Ames, the nurse who put the family up in her home in NH, along with her exceptional 13 year old son Daniel (who TN adopted as a another ‘big brother’) and provided round the clock care. Thanks to ‘Team Thien Nhan’ in Hanover, and to Sue Hammond for her support when the family arrived. And a big cam on to the Vietnamese family who drove 400 miles from Ottawa, Canada, laden with food and gifts, only to spend 1 hour with the family, and to the 8 Vietnamese-Americans who drove up from Massachusetts to meet TN and shower him with more toys and gifts. The outpouring of love from total strangers has been overwhelming. Special thanks to Dr. Joe Rosen, without whose early care and support none of this would have happened.

Arriving at the Logan Hilton airport hotel we were provided gratis rooms, and a special room for our media interviews, complete with snacks and drinks and cookies for TN. Thank you Volande, bellman Nic, Michal Penek, and May Jorem and all the others who welcomed TN – including check in and security staff. And special thanks to General Manager Farooq Rematwala.

We also want to acknowledge Liem Tran (a former ‘boat person') who made all of the arrangements. He and his friend Tom brought cakes and a bag of toys that kept TN well entertained during the interview! And thank you Cody Yiu, editor of the Sampan Newspaper for your thoughtful interview and great questions.

Arriving at United Airlines early Sunday for the flight to Chicago we were confronted with new airline regs regarding overweight bags, ticket change charges, excess bags fees etc. Luckily, the caring supervisor Ms Griffiths realized that this was a ‘special case’ and jumped in to help. Waiving all unanticipated fees (and substantial ones at that) she did everything possible to get us good seats and extra attention. We would never have made the flight without her. Thank you United Airlines and Ms. Griffiths!

There was a momentary scare during the flight when TN complained of stomach pains. Mom and dad rubbed his lower abdomen for several minutes after which TN suddenly let loose with a strong ‘stream’ that showered everyone! With a satisfied smile, he immediately closed his eyes and fell asleep! Thereafter he proudly notified his parents whenever he felt the urge to go. The urethral surgery obviously had its desired result. Well done Dr. Herz and Dr. Deters!

After arriving in Chicago we proceeded to Avis car rental to see what kind of ‘deal’ we could get. Fatefully, the first person we met was manager Patrick who did not even hesitate to set us up with a van large enough to accomodate us and our caravan of baggage (growing by the city due to TN's toys)! He and his staff – including Kim – were great. Patrick thanked us for making his day. Thank you Avis!

We then made a bee-line for Chicago’s Chinatown (having discovered that this is the quickest way to find a Vietnamese restaurant in America)! After an hour-long feast at The Noodle Shop we headed to Worchester House, a Northwestern Memorial Hospital-owned building for patients and their families. At $75 per night, we were expecting a hostel so were flabbergasted to find ourselves next to Lake Shore Drive in the heart of Chicago. Once again, TN's magic infected everyone. Duty manager Karen Smith did all that she could, putting the family in the best room available.

On Monday, Dr. Dudley Childress, one of the world’s preeminent researchers in prosthetics, came to personally welcome TN to Chicago. After hosting us for lunch, he took us to the Northwestern University Prosthetics Research and Rehabilitation Engineering Research Program, where we spent 2 fascinating hours meeting all of the staff in the research center, and visiting the various testing labs. We are hopeful that by the time he starts school, Thien Nhan will be able to play, and run and walk like other kids. Due to his young age, the immediate goal is to find a short-term solution to improve his mobility.

Back to Chinatown in search of Vietnamese food we finally stumbled upon Café Hoang, owned and operated by a former mechanical engineer named Quy and his lovely wife. The pair recognized TN from VN Express. Oh what a meal Chef Quy prepared! After paying the bill, we were shocked when Quy appeared and returned our money, saying, “It’s our honor to help”. And then the couple made an additional donation of $100!

As much as a journey to heal TN, this trip has been a discovery of the basic goodness in people everywhere. Thanks to all for their loving kindness!

[Photos, top: Worchester House, below: United Airlines, Cafe Hoang, Avis]

You've Come A Long Way, Baby!

On Tuesday morning Thien Nhan is meeting prosthetic specialists at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. To remind everyone of how far this brave little boy has come, here's a photo of Thien Nhan as a newborn in Intensive Care at Quang Nam Hospital, shortly after he was mauled. Thanks to everyone who's made this transformation possible!