'The child running down the street became a symbol of the horrors of war,' Kim Phuc Phan Thi writes. 'The real person looked on from the shadows, fearful that I would somehow be exposed as a damaged person.'
The author at her home in Ajax, Ontario.I grew up in the small village of Trang Bang in South Vietnam. My mother said I laughed a lot as a young girl. We led a simple life with an abundance of food, since my family had a farm and my mom ran the best restaurant in town. I remember loving school and playing with my cousins and the other children in our village, jumping rope, running and chasing one another joyfully.
You’ve probably seen the photograph of me taken that day, running away from the explosions with the others — a naked child with outstretched arms, screaming in pain. Taken by the South Vietnamese photographer Nick Ut, who was working for The Associated Press, it ran on the front pages of newspapers all over the world and won a Pulitzer Prize. In time, it became one of the most famous images from the Vietnam War.
Growing up, I sometimes wished to disappear not only because of my injuries — the burns scarred a third of my body and caused intense, chronic pain — but also because of the shame and embarrassment of my disfigurement. I tried to hide my scars under my clothes. I had horrific anxiety and depression. Children in school recoiled from me. I was a figure of pity to neighbors and, to some extent, my parents. As I got older, I feared that no one would ever love me.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pete Davidson holds Kim Kardashian and Kanye West's son's hand in cute outingKim Kardashian was not present for boyfriend Pete Davidson's shopping trip with son Saint West over the weekend, where the former Saturday Night Live star seen holding his girlfriend and Kanye West's child's hand at one point during their weekend excursion
Read more »
Joel Kim Booster Hopes ‘Fire Island’ Starts a Gay-Movie MovementThe writer and star of the new Hulu comedy about a group of gay pals who navigate sex and love on Fire Island discusses the groundbreaking film. 'It feels like I’m watching my firstborn leave for college,' ihatejoelkim says.
Read more »
Kim Kardashian Shows Off Pink Balenciaga Look in Photos Taken by NorthKim Kardashian‘s daughter North West may have a future in photography! TheKardashians star shared a slideshow of pink clad photos taken by the 8-year-old on Instagram. 📸
Read more »
Pete Davidson Holds Saint West's Hand While Shopping Without Kim KardashianPete Davidson has subtly bonded with Kim Kardashian's four children, who she shares with ex-husband Kanye West — all the details
Read more »
Pete Davidson Holds Kim & Kanye's Son Saint's Hand During Shopping TripPete Davidson is in full-blown stepdad mode -- at the ripe young age of 28, no less -- because the guy already feels comfortable enough to grab a hold of Kim and Kanye's son's hand.
Read more »
Pete Davidson Holds Saint West's Hand During an Outing Without Kim KardashianPete Davidson Holds Saint West's Hand During Outing Without Kim Kardashian
Read more »