Hu Jing exchanges with Philip, a foreign teacher at Xinjiang Normal University, in fluent English.
Hu Jing exchanges with Philip, a foreign teacher at Xinjiang Normal University (Weibo), in fluent English.
By/Photos by Hu Yuanyuan, Xinjiang Metropolis Daily (Weibo)
Her name is Hu Jing, 27 years old, suffering from cerebral palsy, with first-level physical disability, and completely unable to take care of herself. But she overcame numerous difficulties and carved out her own path as a translator using only two fingers.
"I deeply believe that life becomes beautiful through trials." Hu Jing firmly believes.
"You're a miracle!"
On October 6th, during the half-hour conversation between Hu Jing and Philip, a foreign teacher at Xinjiang Normal University, conducted in fluent English, she captured the attention of everyone present.
Family's Persistence
In 1985, when Hu Jing was just three months old, she was diagnosed with "cerebral palsy" and it was declared: this child would be completely unable to take care of herself when she grew up, wouldn't even recognize her parents, and the disease was basically incurable. At the time, some well-meaning people advised her parents: give up, have another child.
But Hu Jing's parents did not do so; instead, they poured all their energy into this "hopeless" child.
"For that nearly zero hope, I have put in a hundred times the effort, and have never stopped until today," Hu Jing's father said, rubbing his thick hands, adding that he now considers himself half a doctor.
Starting when Hu Jing was more than one year old, her father Hu Xiachun massaged her for two hours every night. But softening those stiff muscles wasn't easy.
To enable his daughter to walk like a normal person in the future, Hu Xiachun had no choice but to intensify his techniques, causing Hu Jing pain, yet she casually told her father: "It's okay, it doesn't hurt."
Hu Jing's father told reporters that at the time, Hu Jing was indeed very sick, with severe spasticity in her limbs, needing help for everything. Due to the torment of the disease, her body's resistance was extremely poor, and catching colds or fevers were as common as meals. In the more than twenty years of fighting against cerebral palsy, Hu Jing's parents never gave up, regardless of how difficult or tiring it was, they persisted in letting their daughter take Chinese medicine, get massages, and exercise.
The Arduous Path of Education
Effort pays off, the sick child in everyone's eyes didn't learn to stand until she was ten years old, and didn't learn to walk until she was twelve. Due to instability while walking, she had stitches on her head more than eight times.
Hu Jing told reporters that according to her parents, she couldn't speak until she was over three years old, and could only say simple words understandable only to her parents at four.
With the help of her family, Hu Jing began self-studying Chinese phonetics through a "brick-sized" recorder, and later learned many characters through phonetic reading materials.
One day, seven-year-old Hu Jing said to her father: "Dad, I'm afraid of growing up to seven years old."
Her father asked: "Why?" She replied: "If I grow up to seven and my illness hasn't healed, it will delay my schooling." Hearing her daughter's words, the father's heart trembled, and he secretly resolved to spare no expense to fulfill his daughter's wish.
Hu Jing's mother quit her job to take care of the child at home, while Hu Jing's father, besides earning money for treatment, also became his daughter's rehabilitation trainer, masseur, and therapist. He also went to great lengths to send his daughter to school. However, due to pain and other reasons, her educational journey was intermittent, ultimately leaving her to study at home.
"Self-studying for disabled children isn't easy, but my daughter worked very hard, especially in English, constantly playing recordings and communicating online with others. Her physical disability forced her to sit crookedly on the edge of a chair, typing with only two fingers, yet she endured hardships extraordinarily well." The father's eyes moistened as he looked at his daughter.
Because of her physical disability, Hu Jing has remained unaffiliated with schools and professional exams to this day.
In order for his daughter to learn more, in 1994, Hu Jing's father borrowed 9000 yuan from colleagues during a business trip in Beijing and brought back an assembled computer.
From then on, the computer became Hu Jing's most beloved companion, but she never played games. All her time was spent studying and communicating with people outside.
Since 2000, at the age of sixteen, Hu Jing began focusing on English.
In 2003, Hu Jing's father downloaded an English proficiency test simulation paper from the internet. Without listening comprehension, essay writing, and translation questions, she scored 80 points—a remarkably high score!
In 2005, she began translating a 40,000-word book for a foreign friend, and since then, she fell deeply in love with translation.
In 2007, Hu Jing obtained a college diploma in Chinese language and literature through correspondence education from a university in Chongqing.
Over six years, she has worked as a dedicated translator for multiple translation companies, translating and proofreading over a million words of material. Yet she remains unsatisfied with her current status, dreaming of becoming "one of the best translators in Xinjiang."
Yearning for the Outside World
"Learning English brings me happiness; it's English that allows me to see the outside world. In 2001, friends from Canada visited our home, and it was the first time I used English to chat face-to-face with foreigners. Despite unclear pronunciation and shyness, I conversed with David, who couldn't speak Chinese, for over nine hours." Hu Jing said enthusiastically, "I can't operate the computer as freely as normal people; I control the mouse and keyboard solely with my right hand's ring finger and little finger."
Hu Jing mentioned that once, while out, she accidentally fell and severely sprained her foot, making it impossible to operate the computer as usual. However, there was an urgent manuscript that, even if returned, the translation company wouldn't have enough time to assign it to someone else.
"So, I endured the pain, called my mom, who could barely recognize the 26 letters of the alphabet, to help type each word into the computer, and completed the translation task on time." Hu Jing laughed.
A Long-Harbored Wish
Hu Jing proudly told reporters that her first job was helping a friend translate a 40,000-word book, which took her two months and earned her $1200.
This first pot of gold greatly encouraged Hu Jing; she realized that through her intelligence, she could achieve her dream of self-reliance.
Most managers of the translation companies Hu Jing cooperated with didn't know about her physical condition. Although her translation speed still lags behind experienced translators, she receives equal competition opportunities like normal people, realizing her personal value and gaining respect.
Hu Jing said: "If someone is like me, physically disabled, they need family support, not giving up or abandoning them; they need societal support, assistance from medical institutions and relevant departments; they need to focus on something, have an open mind, not give up at the first sign of trouble, and never assume there are no opportunities without trying. Always look at the positive side of things."
To thank the Disabled Persons' Federation and all sectors of society for their help, Hu Jing has a wish: to save money to establish a foundation serving the disabled, sponsoring and training them, providing them with opportunities, enabling them to integrate into society and live colorful lives.
Hu Jing said: "This wish is too big. I've spent a lot of time and effort, but I'm still far from the goal. But I won't give up, no matter what it costs."
Hu Jing's father said: "Seeing our daughter become a self-reliant and strong-willed person, we hope her story can tell families like ours not to give up. As long as you don't give up, it's never too late."