Former Vietnam War Veteran, Van, Shares Inspiringly Positive Outlook On Life
We love getting to know who we’re speaking to, it’s how we’re able to genuinely CareAbout you.
Everywhere from learning what someone has been through, where they’re at in life right now, to what frustrates them, and on the other hand, what matters most to them, is all part of how we’re able to gain a wholesome, all-encompassing understanding of who the individual is, and how we can best help them.
We’re always grateful and in pure awe any time our customers shares their lives with us. A huge thank you to Van, the star behind this customer story, for sharing his remarkable and heart-touching story.
Van first arrived in Australia as a refugee from Vietnam. Van had travelled through Malaysia and New Zealand from Vietnam before finally touching base in Australia, where he sought solace.
In 1977, Van left Vietnam with his wife and six children. They finally arrived in Australia in 1984. Van reflects on this very difficult decision to leave as a compulsory one, purely because he didn’t want his children to have to become soldiers, and inevitably, face the very likely possibility of death in the war.
Even Post-Amputation, Van Is Grateful And Ever Thankful
Van is incredibly proud of his children, of the education and qualifications they have received, and feels grateful that they can live healthy, safe lives. Van is now 85 years old, and wears a prosthesis on his amputated left leg.
After having had bone cancer almost a decade ago now, Van tragically developed an infection, which resulted in needing to have his leg amputated from the knee. As hard as this was for Van, he has learned to put aside any negative feelings, and is instead, focussed on all the good things he has achieved. Van credits his recovery from cancer to the otherwise good health he was in, and having maintained a healthy lifestyle.
On Maintaining A Fulfilling, Healthy Lifestyle
Every Saturday, Van’s wife cooks a big meal, and prior to COVID-19, some of their children and grandchildren would visit. They regularly brought their parents freshly made orange juice and other healthy foods. Van continues to help his family whenever he can, such as sometimes doing paperwork in his daughter’s shop.
Van and his wife also enjoy eating out, particularly to a nice buffet. Van exercises daily, especially walks around his local Westfield shopping centre. Van likes to go to the library and read Vietnamese books, or books on the history of China.
Van also enjoys Vietnamese music. He also loves to paint (as pictured), particularly flowers, and his home is filled with artwork, wonderful statues and ornaments, all of which, adorn his many cabinets and benches.
On Giving Back And Finding Purpose
Remarkably, in line with Van’s karmic methodology of giving and receiving, he sells his artwork (his daughter does this on his behalf) for $5 each, and the proceeds go to charity in order to help those who are less fortunate.
Van tries to keep focused on the good in life while keeping busy, and he strives to give back to the community so that his family will stay safe and have a good life.
