Disabled woman finds joy through art

The physical toll of her condition remains ever-present. As a child, the sound of her bones cracking haunted her. "I could 'hear' the fractures and also the cracking sound of doctors setting the bone," she said.

Yet she clung to hope.

"I told myself that in seven days, the pain would ease. In a month, it would heal a little more. I was in great pain today and tomorrow, it would ease a bit," she said.

"Moreover, I did not want to die. My parents never gave up on me and I should not give up on myself."

For years, education seemed an impossible dream.

At 15, after her condition stabilized slightly, she finally enrolled in school, clinging to the opportunity like "a sponge thirsting for water".

But wheelchair dependence and limited mobility persisted. Climbing stairs requires gripping railings, a daily exercise she endures to stay active.

She discovered a talent for painting and calligraphy, skills that became her solace. But when her older sister, who carried her to school daily, underwent surgery and could no longer assist her, Liu was forced to drop out at 18.

Despair threatened to consume her until a visiting art teacher recognized her potential and began mentoring her. This mentorship ignited a spark of hope, laying the groundwork for her future in art.

The turning point came in 2009 when she learned of a provincial embroidery training program for people with disabilities. Despite her family's concerns, local authorities intervened, arranging accommodations and support. "Illness closed one door but opened a window — it let me focus entirely on embroidery," she reflected.

For six months, Liu immersed herself in Hunan embroidery, or Xiangxiu, a traditional craft known for its vivid realism. Her dedication paid off: she mastered the craft and joined a company.

Between 2010 and 2019, she clinched multiple awards at provincial and national embroidery competitions, rising to sixth place nationally.

Recognized as a "Loudi Craftsman", she became a city-level inheritor of Xiangxiu.