Talented Jiangsu youth overcomes adversity to score big on gaokao

Scoring 632 points out of a possible 750 in the national college entrance exam is not easy for any Chinese student, and the achievement is even more special for wheelchair-bound Jiangsu student Dong Yichao.

The 21-year-old lives with anterior spinal artery syndrome, a rare condition that is typically caused by a blockage of the anterior spinal artery, leading to dysfunction such as muscle weakness and paralysis of the lower extremities.

On the evening of June 24, Dong learned he'd scored 632 points in the gaokao, according to local media Yangtze Evening Post.

His mother, Gu Weihua, looked even more excited than her son, as she knew that the score was actually not as high as he was expecting.

"No matter what the score is, I am more than satisfied that he has persisted," Gu said.

Dong was diagnosed with the disease in 2014 when he was in middle school and suddenly fell to the floor due to weakness of his muscles.

A doctor at a Shanghai hospital said that he would have to spend his life in bed as the disease is incurable.

Dong's parents refused to give up hope and transferred him to another hospital.

After more than two months, his body gradually began to respond to treatment.

"My mind is clear and I want to go back to school," Dong said.

In order to better recover, Dong suspended his study for three years. After treatment, he could stand for a bit by himself with half of his body responsive, and the ability to move two fingers and his feet.

He went back to school three years later and was admitted to a well-known high school, Qidong High School, after performing well in the high school entrance exam.

The school offered his mother a job as a cleaner on campus to make it more convenient for her to take care of her son. It also offered them a separate dormitory and Dong's classroom was always on the first floor, with a tailor-made table for him.

Apart from helping her son commute from the dormitory to the classroom and helping him get dressed and eat, Gu visited him several times every day. During class breaks, she would enter the classroom to help him stand for a couple of minutes to ease the fatigue.

His mother's perseverance is what motivates Dong. "She works much harder than me," he said.

Due to the disease, he can only move two of his fingers, which he uses to write. Each time he writes, he uses all his strength to hold the pen, and gradually he can write more than 600 words in an hour.

Xu Jing, Dong's head teacher, said, "he has never said any negative words or shown any expression of despair."

He is always positive and rarely takes a break, Xu said, adding that all the teachers and students are moved by him.

What impressed Xu most is that each time the evening study session ends, Dong would thank her for her efforts and wish for her to get more rest.

"He has a high emotional intelligence and is more mature for his age. He is grateful to all the people who have treated him well," she said.

He wants to be a teacher, yet he is not certain about the decision due to the limitations of his body.

Still, he is also hopeful as whatever major and university he chooses, he wants to learn more knowledge and skills.

Gu also has worries about the future.

The campus of the university is certainly bigger than that of the high school. She wonders if she still can help her son get around while also working nearby.

"One thing for certain is that I will accompany him no matter where he goes," his mother said.

zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn