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Tam (pronounced TUM) is 17 and joined Karen’s outreach program for teens about 3 months ago. But it was only about one month into the program when he was in a serious motorbike accident. The accident had put him into a coma for 2 weeks, and left him with severe head injuries that required a series of neuro-operations. Remarkably, he is walking around today. But this is not the end of a happy story. I say remarkably because the first problem is the medical facilities here, well, they suck. And the operation was done without putting half his skull back into his head, so he is walking around without it until a second operation in one month. Tam’s family has no money and could not/cannot afford an operation. A family of 8 live together along the river in an extremely small concrete home with no doors or windows. In addition, Dad has recently died, and the funeral has put them into even more debt. Mom had to quit her job to stay with Tam in the hospital during the accident, so there has been no income.

Karen assures Tam that she will take care of his medial costs, but he is still so worried. Over dinner he expresses his concern about buying the blood. He keeps reminding us that he is type O, and to make sure the hospital will have it. Apparently it is very expensive so you better order in advance or it’s BYOB. And by the way, that’s not the only thing you bring with you to the hospital in Vietnam. You’re also responsible to bring your own food, water, toilet paper, sheets, pillow...pretty much everything. And if you need a bed, you’re gonna have to pay extra for that too.

Because Karen is returning to Australia in 2 days, I have chosen to stay and help take care of Tam until the next surgery, to make sure things run smoothly, and make the necessary payments to the hospital. Also I am told that a foreigner would demand more attention, respect and answers in a serious medical situation so my presence would make a difference. But the biggest challenge will be keeping “Mr. Everready” to stay still, quiet and rested for the next few weeks.

I am continuously entertained by Tam’s very loud and broken English, his sarcastic sense of humor and silliness. He most definately lacks an edit feature that is both refreshing and harsh. He has a genuine appreciation for life, or quite simply the giggles, which we are sure has come about from being given a second chance.

The first day I met Tam he invited me to join him, Karen and his family to celebrate the 100 day anniversary of his father’s death. This is a Buddhist ceremony that I was honored to be a part of. We all sit on the concrete floor in his home, as the women prepare a feast they can’t afford, an altar is displayed with offerings and candles surrounding his father’s picture. We crowd together around a bamboo mat, with more bowls of food then you can shake a chopstick at. Tam throws a CD case to me. Go ahead. You pick. I have U2, you like U2, I have U2, want to play U2? OK, Let’s play U2. Buddha and Bono..quite the funeral ceremony.


HOW TO HELP:

http://lifestartfoundation.org.au/

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