Father-in-law Paralyzed for 6 Years
Massage and Bathing All Depend on Her Care
Li Jinzhi, aged 47, is the daughter-in-law of Ma Youdao, an 84-year-old man. What Ma Youdao often says is "This is my own daughter, closer than a real daughter."
Wanfu Garden Community
In 2004, after Ma Youdao fell ill and became bedridden, his son also suffered from a back injury which made it difficult for him to move around. The heavy responsibility of taking care of the family fell on the shoulders of Li Jinzhi, the daughter-in-law.
Every day, Li Jinzhi helps her father-in-law with exercises and massages. Whenever she gets the chance, she gives him foot baths. In order to help her father-in-law recover as soon as possible, she installed a rope on the ceiling and regularly pulled his legs while he was lying in bed.
Getting Ma Youdao out of bed was quite challenging, and at first, Li Jinzhi struggled when lifting him up. Over the years, she has developed some techniques. She knows that staying in bed without moving is not good, so on nice days, she takes Ma Youdao out for a walk.
However, compared to bathing her father-in-law during the summer, getting him out of bed seemed much simpler.
Each time Li Jinzhi carried Ma Youdao to the bathroom, washed him, and then carried him back to bed, it was a difficult process, but bathing ensured that the elderly man did not develop heat rashes during the summer.
To supplement the household income, Li Jinzhi took on a job preparing lunch for more than ten students. Knowing her situation of taking care of her father-in-law, the daycare center let her go home early without waiting for her to clean up or wash dishes.
"He is not her father, she is not his daughter, yet she devotedly takes care of him who is bedridden. Time has witnessed their relationship, which is better than that of a father and daughter," the residents said. They could understand the deep affection behind Ma Youdao's words: Li Jinzhi had carefully taken care of her father-in-law for over six years.
Secret Whispers Only for the Daughter-in-law
At noon yesterday, a reporter from Sina Blog visited Wanfu Garden on Tongbai Road. Li Jinzhi's house was bright and clean, with the smell of food wafting through the air.
Ma Youdao lay in bed smiling. He liked eating lamb stewed with radish, and his daughter-in-law's excellent cooking skills satisfied his appetite.
"Whatever I want to eat, Jinzhi makes it for me. Her lamb stewed with radish is the best," Ma Youdao praised enthusiastically, his face glowing and looking healthier under his daughter-in-law's care.
Li Jinzhi massaged Ma Youdao's feet and said, "Seeing Dad look well, my heart feels happy."
She hoped her father-in-law would live comfortably for a few more years and enjoy the joy of family life.
"A happy family is all I want. I just hope this family can live better," she said.
After six years of care, Ma Youdao and Li Jinzhi, like father and daughter, have shared small secrets. The old man only whispers his secrets to his daughter-in-law. When asked by family members, he always says, "This is my own daughter, closer than a real daughter."
Evening Post reporter Wang Yongsen, intern Lin Yang