Standing Up After Saigon: The Triumphant Story of Hope, Determination, and Reinvention
Description
In this incredible true story of familial love and triumph through adversity, Thuhang Tran and Sharon Orlopp document decades in the lives of Thuhang and her father, Chinh Tran. Thuhang was born in 1970 in Saigon, near the end of the Vietnam War. She contracted polio as a baby, and though her family sacrificed much to seek treatment, their efforts were halted by the fall of Saigon. Chinh was an air traffic controller in the South Vietnam Air Force at the time, and was lost in the evacuations from Saigon, separated from Thuhang and the rest of his family and presumed dead. This powerful memoir follows Thuhang and her father Chinh through their respective struggles, from Thuhang's battle with polio and the impact of her father's absence, to Chinh's immigration to the United States and his desperate 15-year mission to be reunited with his family. Thuhang has remained hopeful and resilient through all the seemingly impossible hurdles she's faced, and lives today to tell her story and inspire those around her to find strength through perseverance.
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About the Author
Thuhang Tran was born in Saigon and developed polio as a toddler. When Saigon fell in 1975, her father narrowly escaped to the US and left his family behind. Later, the family was told that he had been killed in a helicopter crash. It took almost fifteen years for Thuhang's family to be reunited. When Thuhang immigrated to America, she had surgery and intense physical therapy that enabled her to stand upright after crawling and squatting on the floor for seventeen years. She went on to start her new life by learning English, graduating from college, and working at several Fortune 500 companies in Information Technology. Several years ago, she focused her energy on helping orphaned and disabled children in Vietnam. Her future goals include creating a non-profit organization to help disabled children in Vietnam.
Reviews
"In today's world, filled with so many challengesbe it personal, cultural, environmental, or politicalwe all need stories of perseverance, unification, and family. Embrace the diversity of life as you turn the pages." -- Rollin Ford "Retired EVP and CAO, Walmart"
"Standing Up After Saigon is about the triumph of the human spirit and the power of one woman's determination and leadership to thrive. Read it." -- Nell Merlino "Creator, Take Our Daughters to Work Day; author, activist, speaker, and consultant focused on empowering girls and women"
"This is a one-of-a-kind book. Every veteran, as well as all of America, will want to hug Thuhang and say, 'Way to go, sweetheartwe love you.'" -- Bob Ford "Author, Black Cat 2-1; Vietnam helicopter pilot; CEO, Okeene Milling Company"
"Fascinating story of survival and achievement with an outstanding demonstration of love, determination, and personal reinvention. A must read." -- Dr. Mohammad Bhuiyan "Professor of entrepreneurship, Tuskegee University; former CEO, Atlanta Nobel Peace Laureates Summit Organization"
"Thuhang Tran's firsthand account ofdaily life in Vietnam once Saigon fell is extraordinary. Her riveting odyssey demonstrates the universal lesson of personal triumph despiteunrelenting odds." -- Bernie Milano "President, KPMG Foundation; creator, PhD Project, a nonprofit organization"
"Both an invaluable sociological resource recounting what life was like under the Viet Cong, and an inspiring account of humanity and perseverance. Thuhang's story reminds us of our innate human ability to dream, hope, and do whatever it takes to flourish." -- Kevin Turner "Retired COO, Microsoft"
"Tran's story of strength and courage reminds us that the immigrant perspective fuels one's human capacity to see opportunities others don't, do what others won't, and keep pushing when prudence says quit." -- Glenn Llopis "Founder, Center for Hispanic Leadership and Center for Innovation and Humanity; author of The Innovation Mentality"
"The book is a riveting depiction of the struggles experienced by many immigrants as they navigate rigid immigration policies, and exposes the realities of being a person with a disability in the developing world.Sharon Orloppdoes a phenomenal job of telling this story leaving us with a sense of optimism, and that anything is possible." -- Rohini Anand "Chief diversity officer, Sodexo; sits on National Organization on Disability board"
"The story of Thuhang's struggles and ultimate triumph helps us understand how America's immigrant heritage made it into the greatest country, and why it is so wrong to disdain and malign those immigrants of today." -- Jose Villarreal "Senior advisor and partner of Akin Gump; Chairman of US Mexico Foundation; political strategist and immigration reform advocate"
