We often hear the phrase "Never give up" on the screens of cinemas, read on the pages of books. Chinese woman Qian Hongyan is the living personification of these …
We often hear the phrase "Never give up" on the screens of cinemas, read on the pages of books.
Chinese woman Qian Hongyan is the living personification of these words.
The girl's story has become a motivation and inspiration for thousands of people with disabilities.
Hongyan is deprived of both legs, but this did not prevent her from achieving incredible results in sports and repeatedly becoming the champion of various competitions.
At the age of 4, Qian from Yunnan Province was involved in an accident. The girl had to have both legs amputated, and since her family was very poor, buying prostheses was a pipe dream.
I remember that when I woke up the next day, my feet were very cold. I said: “Mom, put my shoes on,” but my mother did not answer, but only cried bitterly. Then I realized that for the rest of my life I no longer have to wear shoes, socks or even pants, - said Qian in an interview.
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The first time after the amputation, the parents carried the girl in their arms, but later her grandfather found a way out of the situation. He cut up a basketball, put his granddaughter in it, and gave two construction tools in his hands, which are used to putty the walls.
Qian's pictures on this unusual "prosthesis" were circulated in all the Chinese and then foreign media. Soon Hongyan was nicknamed "the girl on the basketball." The road to school, which was only 7 minutes away, took a Chinese woman about an hour. Qian has worn out 8 balls in 5 years.
In 2007, thanks to government support, she received the coveted prostheses. Many local media watched her first steps after the accident. Qian later came up with the idea of swimming and taking part in the Paralympics.
I was jealous of my classmates. After school they ran and jumped, and I couldn't do it. But I really love swimming, because I have the opportunity to be in the same water as they are, - said the Chinese woman.
Alas, in 2012 Hongyan failed to qualify for the Paralympic Games in London, but she did not give up and continued to train hard. In September of the following year, Qian received new dentures.
All this time she swam 10,000 meters a day and participated in local and national competitions. In 2016, the girl finally received an invitation to the Paralympics, which took place in Rio de Janeiro.
Although then she did not manage to win a medal, Qian was in the top ten athletes. But Hongyan is not going to stop there either. The girl plans to perform at the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020.
Qian is currently continuing to train and prepare for new competitions. She is now 21 years old.
The strength of the spirit and determination of this fragile girl is truly amazing and deserves applause!
