Disabled Chinese man inspires many by starting primary school at 16, medical school at 25

A Chinese man with cerebral palsy has inspired many by chasing his dreams with perseverance, becoming a primary school student at 16 and then entering medical school at 25.

Now 37, Li Chuangye, from central China’s Henan province, has opened a small clinic in Yunnan province in southwestern China, fulfilling his dream of becoming a doctor.

Li contracted cerebral palsy at the age of one. Unfortunately, due to a lack of timely treatment, he had to walk with a squat gait for his entire life.

Li’s parents exhausted the family’s savings on his treatments.

After a failed surgery at the age of nine, Li decided he did not want to burden his family any more and sought out a man who promised to give him a job.

Sadly, he was deceived by this man, who exploited disabled children for begging, profiting from their plight.

From the ages of nine to 16, Li was forced to beg on the streets, earning only 100 yuan (US$14) a month.

He was released at 16 because the man deemed ယူဆ him too old to elicit sympathy.

One day, Li realised he was completely illiterate; he could not even read the newspaper. He became determined to change his life through education.

(After being exploited by a gang of beggars for seven years, Li suddenly realised he was completely illiterate, which ignited his determination to transform his life through education. Photo: Weibo)

Li enrolled in Grade 2 at a primary school and fast-tracked his way into medical college at the age of 25 in 2013. He studied diligently and was admitted to a clinical programme at a university in 2016.

Dedicated to medicine, Li used himself as a case study on cerebral palsy for his classmates. In 2014, on his birthday, he promised to donate his body for medical research after his death.

Graduating at 31 in 2019, Li started working as an editor for a medical company, supported by his university.

However, he resigned just a few months later, realising that his true aspiration was to become a doctor.

Li mentioned he did not expect to work in a large hospital but felt fulfilled serving his neighbours at a small clinic.

He relocated to Yunnan province, where the climate is pleasant year-round, to run his own clinic.

(Li met his girlfriend online. Yu, who had been deeply moved by his spirit, and sought a relationship with him. Photo: Weibo)

Ref: Disabled Chinese man inspires many by starting primary school at 16, medical school at 25 Photo Credit-Weibo