China's Inspirational 'Basketball Girl' Gets New Legs
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Billy Koelling
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Thursday, August 29, 2024
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This is Qian Hongyan, an 18-year-old girl who lives in China. She may seem like your average teenager, but she has a pretty unique backstory.
Qian Hongyan, 18, smiles as she waits for her new prosthesis at China Rehabilitation Centre in Beijing, September 5, 2013. Qian, who has been moving by using a basketball after she lost her legs in a car accident at age four, got her new free prosthesis fitted for her adult body. She first received artificial limbs in 2005 and later joined a swimming club for the handicapped and became an athlete. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Qian lost both her legs in a car accident in 2000 when she was just four years old. Growing up in rural Luliang county, southwestern China's Yunnan province, her family had to improvise.
Qian Hongyan exercises in Luliang county, southwestern China's Yunnan province, January 4, 2005. Qian, who lost her legs during a car accident in 2000, had been walking using her hands with the help of a basketball. She first received artificial limbs in 2005 at the China Rehabilitation Centre and has gradually been fitted with bigger limbs due to her body growth, according to the China Rehabilitation Centre Picture taken January 4, 2005. REUTERS/Chen Yawei
These pictures, taken in 2005 when Qian was just ten, show how. Qian learned to walk on her hands, using a basketball cut in half to steady herself. According to Xinhua news agency, she was dubbed "basketball girl" by locals.
Qian Hongyan makes her way home in Luliang county, southwestern China's Yunnan province, January 3, 2006. Qian, who lost her legs during a car accident in 2000, had been walking using her hands with the help of a basketball. She first received artificial limbs in 2005 at the China Rehabilitation Centre and has gradually been fitted with bigger limbs due to her body growth, according to the China Rehabilitation Centre. Picture taken January 3, 2006. CHINA OUT REUTERS/China Daily
In 2005, after attention in the Chinese press, Qian traveled to Beijing to receive free artificial limbs at the China Rehabilitation Research Center, a center that has been providing help to the disabled in China for over 20 years. This photo, from 2007, shows her receiving a larger set of limbs after she had grown.
Qian Hongyan, 11, talks to a doctor at the China Rehabilitation Center in Beijing March 20, 2007. Qian, who lost her legs during a car accident in 2000, had been walking using her hands with the help of a basketball. She first received artificial limbs in 2005 at the China Rehabilitation Centre and has gradually been fitted with bigger limbs due to her body growth, according to the China Rehabilitation Centre. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Xinhua reports that Qian was born to an impoverished family, and that she had to accept that when her medical treatment ended in 2007, she would not be able to continue her education with her peers. She was 11-years-old.
Qian Hongyan, 11, walks in a hotel in Beijing, March 20, 2007. Qian, who lost her legs during a car accident in 2000, had been walking using her hands with the help of a basketball. She first received artificial limbs in 2005 at the China Rehabilitation Centre and has gradually been fitted with bigger limbs due to her body growth, according to the China Rehabilitation Centre. REUTERS/Jason Lee
However, Qian found other opportunities. She joined a local swimming club for the disabled, the first of its kind in the country, sponsored by the Yunnan Provincial Federation of the Disabled.
At first, she found it difficult.
"I had to give much more than other kids when I learned to swim," Qian told China Daily in 2011. "It seemed there was no way I could float in the water. I was choked."
Qian Hongyan, 16, from the Yunzhinan Swimming Club for the handicapped, climbs onto a platform during a daily training session at a swimming centre in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan province, July 30, 2011. About 30 disabled athletes from the club aged 10 to 22 are training for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The club was founded in August 2007. REUTERS/Jason Lee
However, she went on to become a successful athlete, training for four hours every day. She hopes to one day win medals for her country in the Paralympic Games.
Qian Hongyan, 16, from the Yunzhinan Swimming Club for the handicapped, practises swimming during a daily training session at a swimming centre in Kunming, southwest China's Yunnan province, July 30, 2011. About 30 disabled athletes from the club aged 10 to 22 are training for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The club was founded in August 2007. REUTERS/Jason Lee
This week, she returned to the China Rehabilitation Research Center in Beijing. Now 18 years old, she is ready for her adult prosthetics.
Qian Hongyan, 18, tests out her new prosthesis at China Rehabilitation Centre in Beijing, September 5, 2013. Qian, who has been moving by using a basketball after she lost her legs in a car accident at age four, got her new free prosthesis fitted for her adult body. She first received artificial limbs in 2005 and later joined a swimming club for the handicapped and became an athlete. REUTERS/Jason Lee
Qian Hongyan, the so-called "basketball girl," has become something of a celebrity in China. Reports on the progress of her artificial limbs make national news. Her fame has even spread abroad, with photographs of her becoming viral sensations on Facebook.
Her success may mark the changing fortunes of China's disabled. "In the past," Her coach, Li Ke-qiang, told the BBC in 2008, "people despised the disabled. They thought they were all beggars, just asking for money."
"But now, when they see disabled swimmers like these, they can see how hard they're driving themselves. And that's a start."
Doctor Cao Xuejun uses his mobile phone to take a photo of 18-year-old Qian Hongyan after she got her new prosthesis at China Rehabilitation Centre in Beijing, September 5, 2013. Qian, who has been moving by using a basketball after she lost her legs in a car accident at age four, got her new free prosthesis fitted for her adult body. She first received artificial limbs in 2005 and later joined a swimming club for the handicapped and became an athlete. REUTERS/Jason Lee Sign up for notifications from Insider! Stay up to date with what you want to know. Subscribe to push notifications
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