In October 2000, four-year-old Qian Hongyan lost her legs in a tragic car accident, after which she began to use half a basketball to "walk." Despite everyone believing that her life would be spent in a wheelchair, Qian Hongyan showed remarkable resilience, eating and attending school like other healthy children. Even more astonishingly, this girl who once relied on a basketball for mobility transformed into an Olympic athlete, winning four gold medals for her country.
So, what kind of legend did her life experience? And how is she doing now?
The Unexpected Accident
The year of the accident, Qian Hongyan had not yet started school; like many rural children, she was raised in a free-range manner. At the time, her parents were working away from home, leaving only her grandparents to look after her. In a moment of inattention, little Qian Hongyan ran under a truck. By the time people around her realized what had happened, Qian Hongyan had already lost consciousness. Her grandfather rushed her to the hospital upon hearing the news.
However, due to the severity of her injuries, Qian Hongyan's legs could not be saved. Her grandfather had to sign the amputation notice with great pain. The doctor suggested that since the child was still young, they could install prosthetic limbs for her to live with.
But the cost of installing a pair of prosthetics could easily reach over ten thousand yuan, which Qian Hongyan's family could not afford. They even had to gather funds from various sources just to buy her a wheelchair.
From that day on, Qian Hongyan could no longer run on the ground. Even when traveling by wheelchair, she could only be pushed by her grandparents for walks by the fields.
Seeing Qian Hongyan becoming increasingly depressed, her grandfather felt extremely distressed. In order to allow Qian Hongyan to go out normally, he racked his brains for a long time.
If using a wheelchair, Qian Hongyan couldn't push it herself; if using a stool, it would be too heavy and unsuitable for her long-term walking.
But if nothing was added, letting Qian Hongyan crawl out, the exposed pelvis would also have the risk of bumps and bruises.
What if a soft and elastic object was placed under Qian Hongyan's waist?
After trying many solutions, Qian Hongyan's grandfather turned his attention to the basketball in the corner.
Growing Up with a Basketball
That basketball was once a treasured toy of Qian Hongyan's. Since Qian Hongyan could no longer run and jump normally, the basketball had been idle for a long time.
Qian Hongyan's grandfather had a bold idea - if the basketball was cut open and stuffed with cotton, would it fit perfectly into little Qian Hongyan's pelvis?
Without delay, in order to facilitate Qian Hongyan's movement, her grandfather specially found several handrails. Qian Hongyan herself was also determined, supporting herself with two boards and getting out of bed.
After the modification, this "half basketball" became Qian Hongyan's means of transportation.
Being able to get out of bed and move around, Qian Hongyan returned to her previous lively demeanor. However, soon, the question of "how to go to school" was once again placed before her.
Due to her physical inconvenience, many schools were unwilling to accept Qian Hongyan. Her grandfather made several trips to the village office before finally securing an opportunity for Qian Hongyan to attend school.
From then on, there was an "unusual" figure in the school. Every time going to and from school, one could see Qian Hongyan propelling herself forward with her thin arms.
Sometimes passing classmates would lend a helping hand, but as Qian Hongyan grew older, the small basketball seemed unable to support her body anymore.
Opening Another Path
Gradually, Qian Hongyan reached the age to attend junior high school. Her previous playmates were also sent to different schools.
In the new school, many students regarded her as a monster, and some even chased after her to mock her.
In such an environment, Qian Hongyan gradually became withdrawn and silent. She didn't understand why high school had turned out this way, but the mocking gazes in school really dampened her interest in attending.
Seeing Qian Hongyan's gloomy mood every day, her grandfather was also looking for ways to cheer her up. When he heard that someone was organizing a disabled swimming club, he sent Qian Hongyan there with a try-it-out mentality.
After all, most of the people there were those with physical disabilities like Qian Hongyan.
The person who established this club was Zhang Honghu, the swimming coach of China's Paralympic delegation. Upon hearing Qian Hongyan's story, his first reaction was: This girl must have good arm strength; she's a promising talent.
Thus, Qian Hongyan stayed at Zhang Honghu's club.
At the club, Zhang Honghu never treated Qian Hongyan as a disabled person but tailored a special training method for her. Moreover, whenever Qian Hongyan did something well, the coach would actively encourage her.
Here, Qian Hongyan seemed to have found her own value, and the familiar smile reappeared on her face. To live up to the expectations of her coach and family, Qian Hongyan wished she could spend 24 hours a day at the club.
Her Own Shade of Color
Through Qian Hongyan's relentless efforts, her swimming skills became increasingly refined, even matching the speed of normal people.
Soon, Qian Hongyan managed to enter the national provincial team through her own efforts.
Zhang Honghu also encouraged her to participate in some national competitions.
In 2009, Qian Hongyan stood on the podium of the National Disabled Swimming Championships for the first time and achieved excellent results with 1 gold and 2 silver medals.
Subsequently, Qian Hongyan continued to overcome obstacles and repeatedly won championships, even standing on the podium of the eighth Special Olympics World Games and successfully winning the runner-up.
Due to Qian Hongyan's outstanding performance, she also obtained a job as a civil servant, mainly helping disabled people apply for disability certificates.
Facing every disabled person like herself, Qian Hongyan would carefully comfort them. Sometimes, she would even use her own story to encourage those disabled individuals to live well.
She herself had walked this path, so she understood how arduous it was and how much mockery and disdain one would encounter.
Moreover, Qian Hongyan would donate money within her capabilities to help some disabled children, trying her best to enable those disabled children to emerge from the shadows.
Conclusion
For Qian Hongyan, swimming gave her a second life.
But in fact, it was more about her own perseverance that allowed her to strive for a different life.
Whether it's disappointment or disability, as long as one does not give up on oneself, one will never lose that bright future that belongs to oneself.