Interview with Nay Djruêng

Operation Orange: Could you please introduce yourself?

Nay Djruêng: My name is Nay Djruêng. I am from Gia Lai, and I have been living here [in Ho Chi Minh City] for more than 9 years. I was born with disabilities and was diagnosed as being affected by Agent Orange exposure. 

Operation Orange: Could you tell us about some of the difficulties that you encounter in life?

Nay Djrueng: Of course, there will be difficulties, but since I was born with disabilities, my daily habits are just as normal as everyone else’s.  The only inconvenient part is that I move around a little slowly, and some day-to-day activities aren’t quite similar to others’. But overall, my day-to-day life goes on just like everyone else's. 

Operation Orange: What are your thoughts about ongoing projects to distribute prosthetic arms and legs to victims of Agent Orange? Do you think this will benefit the community?

Nay Djrueng: Personally, I wish to have a pair of legs to walk on. Because I move slowly, I want to have prosthetic legs to help me walk more easily and minimize the time I spend on my daily activities. 

I haven’t tried using prosthetic arms yet. But I once participated in community experimental projects where we used thought to control prosthetic arms. I joined that project in Da Nang because I used to study there back in the day. Later on, I’d also like to have prosthetic arms so I can grip and hold things.

Operation Orange: How long did it take you to get used to the prosthetic legs?

Nay Djrueng: It took me one year.  Ten years after that, when I went to Quy Nhon to get my prosthetic legs adjusted, some people there said, “Oh, how can you walk with prosthetic legs that look just like real ones?” Haha.