Before you read this, bend your body and try to touch your face onto your thigh. Now try walking in the same position. Difficult isn't it? This is how Li Hua from China lived for the past 28 years in his life.
Li Hua, popularly known as China's Folded Man, was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease “Ankylosing Spondylitis(AS)”. It is an inflammatory disease wherein the small bones of vertebrae or spine fuse together, making the spine less flexible and eventually hunched forward. The onset of AS is in adulthood with slight pain in the thighs, wrists and backbone. As the condition progresses it could even affect the ribs making it difficult to breathe for the patient. AS is more common in men than in women.
Li Hua was diagnosed with AS in his early twenties. Hailing from a rural family in Panshi, Quiyan county of China, the treatment of Li was difficult and expensive. But his mother, Tang Dongchen, never gave up on her son. She took Li to many hospitals and many doctors declined to operate on Li since the surgery was too risky. Tao Huiren, Spiral Orthopaedics, Shenzhen University General Hospital, finally agreed to perform the surgery on Li.
When Li arrived at Shenzhen University General Hospital in August 2019 three parts of Li's body was connected
It took Dr Tao two weeks to devise a surgical plan to operate Li to break and then reconstruct Li's bones so that he could once again stand. The surgery was so risky that he could go into haemorrhagic shock (which occurs when the body shuts down due to significant blood loss), become a paraplegic( paralyzed) or even die.
Li's mother needed to understand the depth of risk involved in the surgery. When Dr Tao explained the risk factors involved to Li's mother, she asked a question that almost made everyone go speechless.
What if I die, but he is still sick? Who will take care of my son?
Tang Dongchan (Li's Mother)
No matter how old the child is, a mother is always a mother!
So that ended the delusion and decided to conduct the operation in four phases.
Phase 1 operations included breaking and reconstructing Li's thigh bones so that the space between his thigh bones and face can be increased. The first step was to insert the oxygen tube into Li's mouth. This was not possible without Li's corporation and when this was done it was just a matter of six hours to complete the surgery which proved to be a great success.
This time it was about breaking the bones around his neck which will help him to lift his head. Another six hours of pain and he was able to lift his face. He commented that his mother looked old and he was happy seeing her and the world once again through his head held high.
Li was able to lift his head but was still unable to lie flat on his back. The phase 3 operations were focused on breaking and reconstructing his lumbar bones so that finally Li could lay on his back. The surgery was 10 hours long and was successful in making Li's long-cherished dream. This surgery was also a crucial step in helping Li stand straight.
The last and final part of the surgery was to make Li stand on his feet and walk. This was done by replacing his hip joints.
After the four successful phases of surgery, Li was finally able to stand straight and look at the sky on his own after 28 years. Rehabilitation followed by the surgery helped Li to work on his shrunk muscles. Now, after surgeries and spending n number of months in hospital, Li is back in his home. He now helps his family run a small shop in the town.
Now I can walk slowly with a walking frame.. I can hold a bowl and eat like anyone else, sitting at the table… I am happy.. I have hope..
Li Hua
Li and his mother went from one hospital to another hoping to cure the pain Li suffered but getting little help from even experts. But never once did they give up on searching for treatment.
After hearing Li's story, I felt filled with many colours of emotions. It was like the saying from The Alchemist, “when you want something the whole universe conspires in helping you achieve it." Li's mother never gave up on her son, never once did she think of him as a burden. She tried her level best to find the best doctors to treat Li. Even when she was turned down by many experts she didn't give up on her quest. Finally, all her prayers and efforts were answered in Tao Huiren, Spiral Orthopaedics, Shenzhen University General Hospital.
The one thing that Li's story taught me is that,
You don't need thousands of people by your side,
You only need one person who could stand with you
When everything goes wrong and feel hopeless.
That one person is equal to a million people put together.
