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title: '#22: Nhung Pham'
tags: [story]

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tags: story
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# #22: Nhung Pham

Nhung Pham - UI/UX Designer @vuabanhmi

![](https://i.imgur.com/NMY3Uvd.jpg)

There are lots of prejudices and negative impressions about the Disabled in our society. People, even the family, assume that: The Disabled can do nothing! ...

I started my career as a Graphic Designer in 2012; then, I moved to UI/UX after taking a Front-end Development course. Having said that, UI/UX Designers don't need to know drawing is still accurate. However, they have to have aesthetic appeal, color combination, and beautiful standards. Ahh, it's not easy as people think! Besides, knowing some coding helps prevent them from arguing with the Developer. Collaboration between Developers and Designers isn't effective enough, primarily because of misunderstanding and misconception. When building the idea, you had better discussing it with the Developer in advance. When we have knowledge of our partner's job, we can work in harmony ✌️ .

In fact, I have no idea why I chose this career path. Maybe the job has chosen me. When I was in grade 1, the Art Teacher realized my strength and let me attend competitions. My highest achievement was the third prize in the "Green Drawing" Competition of HCM city. I was 7 at that time. Actually, I have struggled a lot to become my current version. I was born a cute girl, full of physical abilities. But after a vaccination, I became Disabled!

I cannot speak and have difficulty with walking. It happened, so there was no way other than facing reality. I actually don't feel negative about myself. However, my life has been affected so much! The biggest challenge is school enrollment. Almost all schools don't want to receive disabled students. My family didn't know Children's rights, so they went away after being refused. I, fortunately, could go to school after that but had a gap year in between because of the above reason. I felt so disappointed, angry, hopeless, and confused about the future. What would I do without any knowledge or Certificate? How could I continue living? Time flew, I thought that I couldn't live that way. I had to find the healing road to save my life.

There are lots of prejudices and wrong impressions about the Disabled in our society. People, even the family, think that: The Disabled can do nothing! They can do just simple handcrafted products or lottery selling. What are the reasons from the nutshell? They don't have the opportunity to study. Back to my story, my Dad always encourages me to do what I desire. That's my luck! At least I have family support. I know several people out there who have their hearts set on going to school, but they cannot! They have faced surrender from their family. Without knowledge, there is no door to a bright future for them!

I don't meet many disabled people in the Tech industry. It's may because of school refusal. I think that the tech industry has opportunities for the Disabled, depend on their physical shortage. Like me, some companies are welcome, but some aren't. They need a Designer who can present the idea to the team. Luckily, I now work in the right place ^^.

I really don't like the popular newspaper headlines for the Disabled nowadays. For example, "meeting X, an example who go beyond the pain", "admiring a miserable piece of life ...". What is the admiration from the Disabled? I don't understand their thinking, although they just want to encourage people. The Disabled has no pain, no unhappiness. Their only disadvantage is the physical activities, and that doesn't prevent them from being success. Like other people, they have to work, take care of their lives, and support their families. They are adapting to their own situation. That is! I truly want to be treated as an ordinary adult and integrate with the community.

I have a tattoo behind my back. It means "the road to success is the happy process". After all, there must be a clear destination, don't dig deep in happiness for so long ^^. My current destination is definitely personal development!