Parents suffer loss of grown child

Hu Dehua kills time in Changsha, Hunan province. Hu Dehua, 67, and her husband, Chen Fang, 73, belong to a group called “shidu” family, the term for parents who've lost their only child in their 50s or later. Their only son, Chen Xingzao, passed away three months after being diagnosed with a fatal disease in 2011 in Changsha, Hunan province. The couple found it hard to accept the harsh reality and Hu was hospitalized for over six months. Their grandchild was born six days before Chen Xingzao died, which is a big comfort for the couple. They named him Tianzuo, hoping the child will be favored by destiny. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, 76,000 "shidu" families are created every year. [Fu Zhiyong/Asianewsphoto]

A photo of Hu Dehua, right, Chen Fang and their deceased son, Chen Xingzao, center, in happier times. [Fu Zhiyong/Asianewsphoto]