Finding inspiration in tragedy

Finding inspiration in tragedy

After losing her legs in a Singapore train accident, Nong Thun says her life was given new meaning

Her father, Mr Kittanesh, left his business in Trang province behind and moved to the capital to take care of his daughter.

Mr Kittanesh said he was initially worried about Nong Thun's future, but this concern is now easing since his daughter has shown her strength and determination to live a normal life.

"She does a lot more activities now than when she had her two legs," Mr Kittanesh said. "She has gone everywhere and done everything that she could possibly think of."

Nong Thun said she never feels as though she is missing out on anything. While she enjoyed her life before, she said the accident had motivated her to live life to the fullest.

"I went to an amusement park with my friends, went on thrill rides that threw me upside down in the air, went on roller coasters, a reverse bungee jump; I even went swimming," Nong Thun recalled of her recent adventures. "All I want to prove is that nothing can bring me down."

One of her favourite pastimes is to connect with people through her Facebook fan page, called "Nitcharee Peneakchanasak", and her Instagram page titled "Thunpecns".

Show of support: Friends from Thailand sent these get-well messages to Nong Thun during her recovery in Singapore.

Photo streams on both of the pages show Nong Thun as a photogenic girl who loves posing in front of the camera. But far from the narcissism of many of her peers, she said she takes the photos to help motivate other people who are going through hard times.

"I like to encourage people not to give up no matter how difficult their lives might be," she said. "By seeing that I am enjoying my life after what I have been through, it sends the message that I am not just a depressed disabled person."

Nong Thun visits places such as the veterans ward of King Mongkut Memorial Hospital to support soldiers wounded in the South and motivate them to get their lives back on track. She has also spoken at events and hosts the TV show Sor Nor Banyen (Pink Station) on the digital channel New TV, where she interviews people who have inspirational life stories.

Last year, Nong Thun saw an advert for a "Miss Wheelchair" competition, saying she was surprised to see such a competition. The criteria were simple: the applicant could be a female of any age who needs to use a wheelchair to get around. She thought the competition could be a new way of expanding her social network, so she applied. Despite having no expectations, Nong Thun made it into the final round with 15 other talented contestants.

Glamour girl: Nong Thun was first runner-up in the Miss Wheelchair 2013 competition.

"I get to see many other women who are in the same condition as me," she said. "We went to the beach together and did many activities together during the pageant. That was when I realised there are a lot more people who have a strong will to live, even though their bodies might not be 100% complete."

Even though Nong Thun was not crowned Miss Wheelchair Thailand 2013, she took home the first runner-up prize, which included 50,000 baht cash. Nong Thun stressed that competing was not about the money; she simply wants to explore different aspects of her life and seek out new experiences.

DREAMING BIG

Before the accident, Nong Thun had dreams of becoming a doctor. Now, she has been forced to revise her goals; she can no longer enrol in medical school due to her disability.

Still, she hopes to be able to help people through ways other than medicine. When her father told her that she helped people a lot simply by speaking to them and offering them motivation, she set herself a new career ambition. "I realised that I want to study psychology, so that I can be eligible to give people advice," she said.

Nong Thun is now in Matthayom 5, or Year 11, at Mater Dei School in Bangkok. She has one more year to go before she can enrol in university. While she waits for that to happen, she is taking part in a range of activities to contribute to society. On Youth Day this year, which fell on Sept 20, Nong Thun received a Youth Idol award for her public contributions.

Nong Thun now plans to set up a Facebook page which will act as a support group for Thai students studying abroad.

"I understand how it feels to live in another country and have no one to run to when you're in trouble," she said. "I want to set up the page to help students who live abroad, whether they are homesick or in an emergency situation like me."

Nong Thun also plans to venture abroad again to study. At the top of her wish list is a course in Japan, mainly because the country has better facilities for the disabled and those in wheelchairs.

COMFORTING: Nong Thun has a teddy bear who also has a prosthetic leg.

"I never noticed it before, but Thailand doesn't cater well for disabled people," she said. "Commuting by public transportation is possible in Bangkok, but is still very difficult."

Mr Kittanesh, however, is no longer worried about Nong Thun not being able to take care of herself. He said she has proven that she can live independently. Now, the only thing that worries him is that his daughter's prosthetic legs need to be replaced every five years, a significant financial burden.

"The pair she has on right now was given by HRH Princess Sirindhorn, but within the next two years she will have to replace them," Mr Kittanesh said.

Nong Thun tries hard to save all of the money she earns from hosting her TV show so that she will have enough to pay for her new legs. But Mr Kittanesh worries that she may not have enough to pay the six million baht required.

Despite not getting any compensation from SMRT in Singapore, Nong Thun shows no signs of being bitter.

She said holding a grudge against anyone would bring only negative energy and doesn't do anyone any good. Instead, she said: "I just keep on smiling." n

Getting out: Nong Thun is determined to overcome the obstacles she faces when she leaves home.

Helping hand: Nong Thun's father says she has adapted well to her situation.

Spreading the word: Like many teenagers, Nong Thun is active on social media, but she uses Facebook and Instagram to spread messages of encouragement for those who face difficulties.

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