Coming full-circle
Thuy's Story Here
You will find information on Veterans, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Hmong, Amerasians, Alcohol and other Drug Addiction Recovery, Spirituality, and other issues I believe in and advocate for on this site.
Through the blogs I will journal about the various people I’ve met or work with, events & trips I've organized, the various issues we work with, and the countries (culture and issues) I work with or support. There will also be guest bloggers, including professional on occasion.
How are all of these things connected? I am a woman of a mixed proud heritage. I was born in Vietnam to a Cambodian mother and American Vietnam Veteran. I am also proud to be what is called Amerasian, something I could not have said at one time.
I grew up experiencing discrimination. People assume it was by other youth. Although there was some of that, it was also done by some adults telling me to go back to “my country”. “You don’t belong here”. Along with all of this came other hateful & derogatory terms. There were no Asian people, let alone Vietnamese people in my community to identify with, only my mother and I. There were also no other children of Vietnam Veterans or Amerasians that I was aware of to connect with.
Vietnam became a big negative that I wanted only to push away. It created a lot of pain for me and I eventually became very angry and went down the wrong path for awhile. Fortunately some people intervened in my life to help me turn it around.They told me that everything I went through could be used for a greater purpose. I didn’t know what that meant, would look like, or when it would actually happen. All I know is they gave me hope; and that’s all you need sometimes is just a little hope to turn things around.
This is what TSIO is all about- my life coming full circle and incorporating all the pieces that were once a negative into a positive. I’ve seen throughout the years others who have struggled with some of the similar issues- discrimination, the pain of war, & alcohol or drug dependency. Today, I am not ashamed of anything in my life. I have forgiven myself and others. I am free.
I am only here to share my experiences, strengths, & hopes. Today when I get emotional when I speak, it is no longer because of shame, but because of gratitude. I am here to give back; to do my part where I can to help my fellow brothers and sisters.
I hope everyone will get to know more about who I am and the intentions behind what drives me & my outreach work through
Thuy Smith International Outreach, INC.
Thank you~
Thuy Smith
Through the blogs I will journal about the various people I’ve met or work with, events & trips I've organized, the various issues we work with, and the countries (culture and issues) I work with or support. There will also be guest bloggers, including professional on occasion.
How are all of these things connected? I am a woman of a mixed proud heritage. I was born in Vietnam to a Cambodian mother and American Vietnam Veteran. I am also proud to be what is called Amerasian, something I could not have said at one time.
I grew up experiencing discrimination. People assume it was by other youth. Although there was some of that, it was also done by some adults telling me to go back to “my country”. “You don’t belong here”. Along with all of this came other hateful & derogatory terms. There were no Asian people, let alone Vietnamese people in my community to identify with, only my mother and I. There were also no other children of Vietnam Veterans or Amerasians that I was aware of to connect with.
Vietnam became a big negative that I wanted only to push away. It created a lot of pain for me and I eventually became very angry and went down the wrong path for awhile. Fortunately some people intervened in my life to help me turn it around.They told me that everything I went through could be used for a greater purpose. I didn’t know what that meant, would look like, or when it would actually happen. All I know is they gave me hope; and that’s all you need sometimes is just a little hope to turn things around.
This is what TSIO is all about- my life coming full circle and incorporating all the pieces that were once a negative into a positive. I’ve seen throughout the years others who have struggled with some of the similar issues- discrimination, the pain of war, & alcohol or drug dependency. Today, I am not ashamed of anything in my life. I have forgiven myself and others. I am free.
I am only here to share my experiences, strengths, & hopes. Today when I get emotional when I speak, it is no longer because of shame, but because of gratitude. I am here to give back; to do my part where I can to help my fellow brothers and sisters.
I hope everyone will get to know more about who I am and the intentions behind what drives me & my outreach work through
Thuy Smith International Outreach, INC.
Thank you~
Thuy Smith
