The "basketball girl" reported by CCTV and public security has passed 23 years, what is happening to her now?
She's a legend, she's a miracle, she's a hero. She has touched and inspired countless people with her story. She is the "basketball girl" - Zhang Xiaomei.
Twenty-three years ago, a car accident changed Zhang Xiaomei's fate. At the time, she was only four years old and was walking with her parents on a road in Xinyang, Henan Province, when suddenly a runaway truck rushed over and broke her legs. Her parents were also seriously injured and could not afford to pay for her medical care. Zhang Xiaomei, who came from a poor family, could only watch her legs being amputated and could not afford to buy a prosthesis.
Girls are forced to stay in bed for long periods of time, unable to play, go to school, and make friends like other children. Her life was dark, her heart was empty. In desperation, her grandfather came up with a way to use a saw, cut an old basketball in half, and then tie them to the girl's stump so that she could push with both hands and move like a wheelchair. This humble tool has become the girl's "legs" and her hope.
The girl's cheerful personality helps her face the doubts and ridicule of her classmates, she is not afraid of other people's eyes, nor is she afraid of her own shortcomings, she bravely goes to school, to study, to pursue her dreams. Her grandfather has also been with her all the time, giving her infinite love and support. However, the girl's heart is tormented, and she longs to be able to stand up, to be able to run, to be able to live like a normal person. She had cried countless times, despaired countless times, and wanted to give up countless times.
Heaven did not abandon her, and her fate took another turn. In 2001, a video of her going to school circulated on the Internet, attracting attention and shock from all walks of life. CCTV, public security, charities, and caring people have reached out to her and provided her with help in terms of funds, medical care, and education. The girl was able to go to Beijing to receive ** and get herself fitted with an advanced prosthesis. She was finally able to stand, to walk, and to feel the beauty of life.
During her time in Beijing, the girl saw the Paralympic Games, and she was deeply moved by the athletes with disabilities, and she also had a dream, that is, to become an athlete and prove her worth with her own strength. She chose swimming because she felt that water would give her freedom, make her forget her pain, and allow her to show her style.
Under the strict training of the coach, the girl overcame the physical defects with amazing perseverance, she was not afraid of difficulties, she was not afraid of failure, she kept challenging herself, and constantly improving herself. Her swimming skills are getting better and better, her results are getting better and her fame is getting better and better. She began to participate in various competitions, from regional to national, from Asian to world, and she won all the way, won honors and miracles all the way.
Having won multiple medals in national competitions, the girl finally achieved her dream by participating in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, representing the Chinese team. On the highest stage in this world, she showed her strength, she cut through the water with incredible speed, she won the gold medal with absolute dominance, she conquered the audience with her unparalleled charm, and she shook the world with her unbeatable achievements. She has earned honor not only for herself, but also for her country, and for people with disabilities.
More than 20 gold medals have proved the girl's transformation from a "basketball girl" to a "flying fish in the water", and also proved her strength, bravery, optimism and struggle. She has touched and inspired countless people with her story. She uses her own experience to encourage more people with disabilities to come out of the haze and live a wonderful life. She used her actions to tell the world that nothing is impossible, as long as you have faith, dreams, and hard work, you will be able to succeed and be happy.
23 years have passed, and now Zhang Xiaomei is a mature woman, she has married and had children, and has a happy family. She still loves swimming, she still competes, she still does it. She has also changed from a helper to a helper, and she has set up her own ** club to provide education, medical care, employment and other support for more disabled children. She said that she wants to use her strength to repay the society, those who have helped her, and those who have the same dreams as her.
She's a legend, she's a miracle, she's a hero. She is the "basketball girl" - Zhang Xiaomei.