Name: Htwe Reh
D.O.B. July 13th, 1969
Corporal Htwe Reh's Autobiography: 1988 to 2002
I arrived to Hwe Saedi student camp in Karenni State on 10th of October,1988. There, along with other students, I received basic military trainingfrom allied Karenni military instructors.
I was assigned to Nan Man frontline from January to May until I was calledback to defend Hwe Saedi camp from SLORC (now SPDC), which commenced in July of1989. Despite efforts to defend Hwe Saedi, it fell into enemy hands. From having to bathe in unsanitary waters of Nan Pan creek, my right eye becameinfected. Student medic treated my eye with Tetracycline ointment and gaveme a Penicillin-V injection. My eye recovered in two weeks.
I was assigned to security detail at Thai-Burma border check-point number 9(BP9) until April of 1990 when I was again called to defend Karenni front fromSPDC forces.
In 1991, upon my return from the front, I was assigned to Daw Tha Kaeoutpost. Daw Tha Kae outpost fell to SPDC at the end of 1992 and I wastransferred again to Naung Lon outpost. In 1993 I accidentally got mudinto my right eye while playing a game of Thakaw (cane ball). It furtheraggravated my past injury. International Rescue Committee (IRC) arrangedfor me to get medical treatment at Mae Hong Son hospital. I was admittedfor a month and, although my vision had not fully recovered, I was dischargedfrom the hospital. The Thai doctor assured me that, in time, my right eyewill heal completely.
I continued my duties at Naung Lon outpost afterwards. Naung Lon wasattacked by SPDC in 1995. In the battle to defend Naung Lon, enemy RPGexploded nearby and dust and debris got into my right eye. I had to beadmitted to Mae Hong Son hospital again for treatment.
I got married in 1996 and my wife has given birth to a son and a daughtersince. My family and I have been living in Naung Tan Karenni refugee campwhere I continue my duties as a supply officer for ABSDF Regiment 4.
In September of 2001, on my way to defend the frontlines from SPDC advances,my left eye became inflamed by itself. Within a month, vision in my lefteye began to fade. I was immediately sent back to Mae Hong Son and IRCarranged for treatment at Mae Hong Son hospital. For the first time, theThai doctor there admitted to the severity of my condition and referred me toChiang Mai hospital. I was treated primarily for my left eye. Whenmy vision returned a little, I was given some medication and was discharged.
My medication ran out in June of 2002 and vision in both of my eyes began todeteriorate. My regiment arranged for me to go to Chiang Mai hospital fora second visit. The ophthalmologist has diagnosed that I may regain visionpartially in only my left eye. According to him, my right cornea hassuffered extensive damage such that my only chance of regaining vision would bea cornea transplant. As of right now, I have completely lost vision in myright eye and have only thirty percent of vision in my left. My wholefamily is depending on me to provide for them which I am unable to do at thispoint. IRC is bound by policy to support individuals with life-threateninginjuries only. There are no funds available for my treatment. Ithank you in advance for your kindness.