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A man in central China has become an inspiration online for his determination to overcome disability and support his family. Despite losing both arms as a child, 30-year-old Li Xiangyang from Hunan province now works as a food delivery driver, balancing on a unicycle while using his lips to operate his mobile phone and contact customers.
Li’s resilience extends beyond his day job. After completing food deliveries, he sets up a stall at night to sell calligraphy he painstakingly creates with his feet. His brushwork, practiced over many years, has attracted admirers and provides an extra source of income to care for his wife and their two children.
Li’s life changed dramatically at the age of four, when he was accidentally electrocuted, resulting in the loss of both arms. The incident not only left him permanently disabled but also forced his family into debt. Growing up in a poor rural household, he quickly realized that self-reliance was the only way forward.
Speaking recently to Chinese media outlet Jimu News, Li said he chooses not to dwell on his accident. “What has happened cannot be changed. I can only move forward. There is no need to dwell on it or complain,” he explained.
Instead, Li has spent decades finding ways to adapt to everyday challenges. From learning to use his feet for writing and household chores to developing the unique ability to balance on a unicycle for work, his persistence has inspired many. Videos of him navigating city streets to deliver food, phone pressed between his lips, have been widely shared on Chinese social media platforms.
Netizens have praised his determination, calling him “a real-life role model” and “proof that courage and hard work can overcome even the toughest obstacles.” Some have also pointed out that his story highlights the difficulties disabled people face in securing stable employment in China, and have called for more social support.
For Li, however, the focus remains on caring for his family and maintaining a positive outlook. His message is simple: life may be difficult, but perseverance brings dignity. “I just want to work hard, support my family, and live with self-respect,” he said.