Writer and teacher Nguyen Ngoc Ky lost the use of his arms at the age offour and has spent his life overcoming adversity. Now he has recountedhis university experiences in an inspirational memoir 43 years in themaking. He talks about his long and arduous journey to complete thebook, which he wrote on his computer by typing with his feet.
Writer and teacher Nguyen Ngoc Ky, whose arms were paralysed at the ageof four after he suffered from a severe illness, has fought to overcomedifficulties all of his life.
Born in 1947 in the northernprovince of Nam Dinh, he went to school at the age of seven and learnthow to use his feet to write. He studied hard and excelled in manysubjects. For his tenacious spirit, he received medals of honour fromPresident Ho Chi Minh in 1962 and 1963.
Ky graduated from university in 1970 and embarked on a successful teaching and writing career.
After releasing his first memoir, titled "Toi Di Hoc" (IWent to School) in 1970, Ky began penning several books and poems,mostly for children, and became a member of the Viet Nam Writers'Association. However, it took him 43 years to complete the next volumeof his autobiography, which is now on sale. It is titled "Toi HocDai Hoc" (I Entered University) and covers the author's studentlife.
* Could you tell us a bit about your second autobiography, "Toi Hoc Dai Hoc" ?
The book has just been published by the Tre Publishing House incollaboration with the Tri Viet-First company. It consists of 37 storieswritten in the form of diaries and letters from my time at universityand my reflections of those days now. It also includes two sketches ofTam Dao Mountain, which I drew with my feet in 1967.
The volumerecounts the struggles of me and my friends during our four years atuniversity. On a personal level, I had to overcome the challenges posedby my disability, learning how to use my feet for daily activities.Together with my friends, we also had to face the constant fear of USbombs, which were targeting the northern region at that time, leading toregular evacuations and shortages of food, electricity and water duringthe years we were trying to study. I am sure that the memoir paints avivid picture of Viet Nam in the 60s and 70s for readers.
* Ittook you 43 years to complete this book. Why did it take so long andhow did you stay motivated, and committed to the story for that amountof time?
I began writing this memoir as soon as I graduatedfrom the Hanoi University in 1970. At that time I was busy with my workas a literature teacher so I could only take advantage of Sundays andsummer holidays to write. My ability to put words to paper also dependedheavily on my emotions. My fictional work was easier to write than thebiographical work. For the last 20 years I have suffered from renalfailure and gout, giving me recurrent attacks of acute inflammatoryarthritis. This was another obstacle in the writing process. However, inrecent years I have written more following my retirement.
Yearafter year, the memories and emotions from my days started to fade.Therefore, I had to lift my sprits and concentrate hard to recall mymemories. Sometimes, I only wrote about 100 words even though I satthinking for hours.
However, writing has always been one of theways for me to forget the pains caused by my illnesses. Revisiting oldmemories was wonderful, and the opportunity to remember my student days -said to be the best time of a person's life - was one of the keymotivations for me to finally complete my book.
* When did you first decide to become a writer?
As soon as I entered university in 1966, I began writing my firstautobiography, which was then called "Nhung Nam Thang Khong Quen"(Unforgettable Years). That book recounted my struggles to overcomedifficulties during my childhood. After I graduated in 1970, the bookwas printed under the title Toi Di Hoc (I Went to School). It was abig success and so I always knew I would write a follow up eventually.
* Which writers inspire you?
There are many writersthat have had an impact on me, and my favourites change all of the time.However, the first person I would like to mention is the Russian writerNikolai Ostrovsky.
In his novel How the Steel Was Tempered ,he created a character named Pavel Korchagin who inspired me a lot withhis sacrifices for his ideals, daring to live with his heart andovercome adversity to live a meaningful life. I dreamed of becoming awriter since I read the book. I would like to inspire people with mystory.
* What have you been reading lately?
Recently, I have read limbless writer Nick Vujicic's memoir Life WithoutLimits and the writer/translator Nguyen Thi Bich Lan's Never Collapse.These books filled me with motivation, energy and patience. They canhelp readers in general to help them overcome their disadvantagedsituation, and contribute more to society.
* Besides writing,you have spent time taking part in talks to students and doingpsychological consultancy work via the (08)1088 switchboard of theTelecommunication Sai Gon Service Company?
That's right. Theseactivities bring me the chances to share my story and inspire people. Imyself receive priceless encouragement which helps me forget all mypaints and live a happier life.
* Do you plan to write another book?
I'm currently working on my third memoir with the title "Toi DayHoc" (I Taught) which is expected to be published in 2014. I amalso working on an educational psychology book for children called "Biet Hoc Het Minh" (Learning at Your Best) for the EducationalPublishers.-VNA
Writer and teacher Nguyen Ngoc Ky, whose arms were paralysed at the ageof four after he suffered from a severe illness, has fought to overcomedifficulties all of his life.
Born in 1947 in the northernprovince of Nam Dinh, he went to school at the age of seven and learnthow to use his feet to write. He studied hard and excelled in manysubjects. For his tenacious spirit, he received medals of honour fromPresident Ho Chi Minh in 1962 and 1963.
Ky graduated from university in 1970 and embarked on a successful teaching and writing career.
After releasing his first memoir, titled "Toi Di Hoc" (IWent to School) in 1970, Ky began penning several books and poems,mostly for children, and became a member of the Viet Nam Writers'Association. However, it took him 43 years to complete the next volumeof his autobiography, which is now on sale. It is titled "Toi HocDai Hoc" (I Entered University) and covers the author's studentlife.
* Could you tell us a bit about your second autobiography, "Toi Hoc Dai Hoc" ?
The book has just been published by the Tre Publishing House incollaboration with the Tri Viet-First company. It consists of 37 storieswritten in the form of diaries and letters from my time at universityand my reflections of those days now. It also includes two sketches ofTam Dao Mountain, which I drew with my feet in 1967.
The volumerecounts the struggles of me and my friends during our four years atuniversity. On a personal level, I had to overcome the challenges posedby my disability, learning how to use my feet for daily activities.Together with my friends, we also had to face the constant fear of USbombs, which were targeting the northern region at that time, leading toregular evacuations and shortages of food, electricity and water duringthe years we were trying to study. I am sure that the memoir paints avivid picture of Viet Nam in the 60s and 70s for readers.
* Ittook you 43 years to complete this book. Why did it take so long andhow did you stay motivated, and committed to the story for that amountof time?
I began writing this memoir as soon as I graduatedfrom the Hanoi University in 1970. At that time I was busy with my workas a literature teacher so I could only take advantage of Sundays andsummer holidays to write. My ability to put words to paper also dependedheavily on my emotions. My fictional work was easier to write than thebiographical work. For the last 20 years I have suffered from renalfailure and gout, giving me recurrent attacks of acute inflammatoryarthritis. This was another obstacle in the writing process. However, inrecent years I have written more following my retirement.
Yearafter year, the memories and emotions from my days started to fade.Therefore, I had to lift my sprits and concentrate hard to recall mymemories. Sometimes, I only wrote about 100 words even though I satthinking for hours.
However, writing has always been one of theways for me to forget the pains caused by my illnesses. Revisiting oldmemories was wonderful, and the opportunity to remember my student days -said to be the best time of a person's life - was one of the keymotivations for me to finally complete my book.
* When did you first decide to become a writer?
As soon as I entered university in 1966, I began writing my firstautobiography, which was then called "Nhung Nam Thang Khong Quen"(Unforgettable Years). That book recounted my struggles to overcomedifficulties during my childhood. After I graduated in 1970, the bookwas printed under the title Toi Di Hoc (I Went to School). It was abig success and so I always knew I would write a follow up eventually.
* Which writers inspire you?
There are many writersthat have had an impact on me, and my favourites change all of the time.However, the first person I would like to mention is the Russian writerNikolai Ostrovsky.
In his novel How the Steel Was Tempered ,he created a character named Pavel Korchagin who inspired me a lot withhis sacrifices for his ideals, daring to live with his heart andovercome adversity to live a meaningful life. I dreamed of becoming awriter since I read the book. I would like to inspire people with mystory.
* What have you been reading lately?
Recently, I have read limbless writer Nick Vujicic's memoir Life WithoutLimits and the writer/translator Nguyen Thi Bich Lan's Never Collapse.These books filled me with motivation, energy and patience. They canhelp readers in general to help them overcome their disadvantagedsituation, and contribute more to society.
* Besides writing,you have spent time taking part in talks to students and doingpsychological consultancy work via the (08)1088 switchboard of theTelecommunication Sai Gon Service Company?
That's right. Theseactivities bring me the chances to share my story and inspire people. Imyself receive priceless encouragement which helps me forget all mypaints and live a happier life.
* Do you plan to write another book?
I'm currently working on my third memoir with the title "Toi DayHoc" (I Taught) which is expected to be published in 2014. I amalso working on an educational psychology book for children called "Biet Hoc Het Minh" (Learning at Your Best) for the EducationalPublishers.-VNA
