Disease can't stop Xu from helping others
By Qian Tong |
May 28, 2013, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
XU Hao has suffered amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the form of motor neurone disease, just as world famous scientist Stephen Hawking does. The patient's nerve cell for movement is harmed, and his muscle will gradually turn weak, leading to difficulty in speaking, eating and breathing.
Despite his problems, Xu is a volunteer who helps other disabled people in Jiading.
A doctor once told him that he might live to be 35 years old. Now 37, Xu says: "Even if I had only one day to live, I will live happily."
Xu was diagnosed with the disease after he had taken a fall at the age of eight. Since then he had to attend hospital frequently. Xu's family was not well-off and when the first month of his treatment cost them more than 30,000 yuan (US$4,760), he had to leave the hospital.
Progressing illness
Though he delays the development of the disease with drugs and exercise, the cramp on his legs at night sleep reminds him that the disease is worsening. Nowadays he can't ride a bike or even take a bus. He can only get about by walking. But that doesn't stop him from being a good volunteer.
In 2004 he became a volunteer for disabled people in Nanxiang Town and provided services for 61 of them in Dehua and Deyuan communities. Many doubted he was up to the task and some refused his visits. He didn't give up, however, and continued to make contact with them, eventually winning their trust.
In 2011, a man in his 70s lost the use of his legs due to a stroke and his wife was unable to move him. The couple hoped to set up a ramp in front of their building to allow wheelchair access but some nearby residents didn't agree with the plan. The couple sought help from Xu and his persuasive skills eventually won the day and the ramp was set up within a month.
Active volunteer
On the Christmas Eve last year, he handed out 31 gifts for the disabled for the coming New Year and Spring Festival and visited two households and took photos for them.
A week later, he joined a charity event to raise donations on the street to help the disabled residents.
Xu has filled five notebooks with his volunteering work, keeping track of the disabled people he looks after.
Despite his problems, Xu is a volunteer who helps other disabled people in Jiading.
A doctor once told him that he might live to be 35 years old. Now 37, Xu says: "Even if I had only one day to live, I will live happily."
Xu was diagnosed with the disease after he had taken a fall at the age of eight. Since then he had to attend hospital frequently. Xu's family was not well-off and when the first month of his treatment cost them more than 30,000 yuan (US$4,760), he had to leave the hospital.
Progressing illness
Though he delays the development of the disease with drugs and exercise, the cramp on his legs at night sleep reminds him that the disease is worsening. Nowadays he can't ride a bike or even take a bus. He can only get about by walking. But that doesn't stop him from being a good volunteer.
In 2004 he became a volunteer for disabled people in Nanxiang Town and provided services for 61 of them in Dehua and Deyuan communities. Many doubted he was up to the task and some refused his visits. He didn't give up, however, and continued to make contact with them, eventually winning their trust.
In 2011, a man in his 70s lost the use of his legs due to a stroke and his wife was unable to move him. The couple hoped to set up a ramp in front of their building to allow wheelchair access but some nearby residents didn't agree with the plan. The couple sought help from Xu and his persuasive skills eventually won the day and the ramp was set up within a month.
Active volunteer
On the Christmas Eve last year, he handed out 31 gifts for the disabled for the coming New Year and Spring Festival and visited two households and took photos for them.
A week later, he joined a charity event to raise donations on the street to help the disabled residents.
Xu has filled five notebooks with his volunteering work, keeping track of the disabled people he looks after.
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