The woman who gave others a second pair of legs

Rising above fate

Despite being disabled since childhood, Lam Thi Nga, born in 1982 and living in Phu Ly City, Ha Nam Province, is cheerful, sociable and confident in life.

Nga shared: “Although I’ve faced many difficulties, in daily life I always try to do everything I can on my own, never relying on others or becoming a burden to my family. In work, I have a spirit of humility and a strong desire to learn and improve. For a person with a healthy, able body, learning and practising a trade is already a challenge. For someone like me, it’s many times harder. But I’ve always been determined never to give up, striving to live up to Uncle Ho’s words: ‘Crippled but not useless’.”

A completed tricycle being packaged for delivery to a customer.

As a disabled person herself, Nga deeply understands the barriers others like her face in terms of mobility, employment and integration into society.

Back in 2017, there were no facilities in Ha Nam dedicated to supplying or manufacturing equipment for people with disabilities. To find suitable devices, one had to travel long distances to places such as Nam Dinh or Ha Noi — a journey far from easy for a disabled person. Meanwhile, imported wheelchairs and assistive equipment were often expensive and mass-produced, lacking the personalisation needed to match each individual’s body and needs.

This reality prompted Nga to start her own business: a workshop that manufactures and sells tricycles and mobility aids for the elderly and disabled. Today, it has grown into a limited liability company specialising in tricycles for people with disabilities.

With the support of friends, family, and her relentless desire to learn, she has been directly involved in improving and designing equipment suited to various types of disabilities.

Her workshop currently employs a mechanic and three part-time workers, all of whom are disabled. It not only provides them with an income but also offers a space for connection, mutual support, and optimism, encouraging them to be more confident in life.

Nga speaks at a life-skills seminar for disabled women organised by the Ha Nam Women’s Union.

Nga shared: “My own needs made me realise that many disabled people want to buy vehicles and assistive devices so they can move independently and live and work confidently in the community. However, imported products are costly and often don’t suit each person’s specific needs. In Ha Nam, there’s no local outlet selling or assembling such equipment, so people have to travel to neighbouring provinces — a difficult, time-consuming, and expensive process. That motivated me to find a way to help people like me move more easily and live happier, more fulfilling lives, contributing to society.”

Reflecting on the early days of founding her company, Nga recalled: “It was extremely difficult at first. I worked hard to learn the trade, sought out knowledge, and kept believing I could succeed.”

Step by step, overcoming those early challenges, Nga’s workshop grew beyond simple assembly. She began researching and developing designs tailored to specific disabilities, promoting technical development in line with social needs.

With support from her family and especially the Women’s Union at various levels, Nga received training in business planning, online marketing, financial management, branding, and product sales. In 2022, she boldly entered the “Women Start-up” competition organised by the Ha Nam Women’s Union with her project “Producing vehicles and equipment for people with disabilities” — and won second prize.

In 2023, Nga was selected by the provincial Women’s Union to compete in the national “Women Start-up” contest initiated by the Viet Nam Women’s Union, where she won a consolation prize in the northern region.

Thanks to the competition, her products reached a wider audience of potential customers and partners, helping to strengthen the brand and expand her market. As a result, her company’s revenue grew significantly.

Nga herself has since received increased attention from the community and support organisations. She’s been invited to seminars and discussions that not only spread her inspiring start-up story but also opened up further opportunities for collaboration.

Le Thi Thuy, former Secretary of the Ha Nam Party Committee, presents Nga with a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister.

In 2024, she was honoured to receive a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister in recognition of her outstanding achievements in studying and following the moral example and lifestyle of Ho Chi Minh.

Nga said: “This journey has not only helped me affirm myself, but also carries a far greater meaning — planting seeds of hope and spreading love to others who share my circumstances.”

Inspiring the disabled to live and work

With the support of her family and business partner, over the years, Nga’s tricycle company has gradually built a name for itself through high-quality products with features tailored to each individual’s needs.

Nga shared: “From the first tricycles we handed over, I felt joy and happiness in bringing confidence and independence to the disabled — enabling them to move without relying on others.”

Her shop doesn’t just manufacture and sell vehicles for the disabled and elderly; it also employs and inspires three disabled workers, helping them find joy in their work and daily lives. More than just boosting incomes, the workshop has become a meeting place where disabled people can share experiences and support one another, facing life with optimism and confidence.

Nga regularly donates part of her company’s profits to give gifts to underprivileged families in the local area.

In recent times, the company has helped five mildly disabled workers achieve stable incomes. It also donates 10% of its profits to charitable activities such as donating wheelchairs, gifts to struggling families, and weekly milk deliveries at Ha Nam General Hospital.

To Nga, a tricycle is more than just a vehicle — it’s a symbol of integration, a second pair of legs helping disabled people reach their dreams. It’s a companion, a tool for mobility and inclusion, and a means of tackling employment challenges for people with disabilities.

This profound human value has inspired those less fortunate to rise and shine in their own ways. Nga’s story shows that with enough determination, people with disabilities can overcome health challenges and mobility issues to contribute positively to society.