The Beijinger
9th May 1023
Courage on Wheels. Beijing Cyclist with Cerebral Palsy Bikes 70,000 km & Beyond
A cyclist from Beijing named Lucky is embarking on an extraordinary adventure as he prepares to cycle from Sichuan to Lhasa on May 17. This incredible feat is considered one of the most challenging endeavors for cyclists, with the route spanning a total distance of 2,166 km and climbs reaching altitudes of 4000 and 5000 km in some sections. This should be a piece of cake for the 37-year-old though, as he has overcome obstacle after obstacle, and it all started with a cerebral palsy diagnosis.
Born a miracle
Born an only child in Jiamusi, Heilongjiang province in 1986, Lucky's mother experienced a harrowing delivery, finding herself in a precarious and life-threatening condition.
The situation escalated to such an extent that Lucky's survival hung in the balance. Reflecting on the intense experience in a later interview, his mother recounted the desperate measures taken by the doctor, who ultimately used forceps to deliver Lucky safely into the world.
Lucky was unable to crawl or sit like a normal child until he turned two years old.
His concerned parents, who were both unemployed at the time, took him to the hospital for a checkup, after which he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
His parents had to juggle taking care of his medical needs while also running a business they started, following the diagnosis.
Around age six, Lucky recalls, he walked everywhere with a twisted gait, would lose his balance when others would bump into him, and could hardly speak. Other children his age would occasionally regard him with a different perspective, and a few even resorted to using derogatory nicknames such as "dummy" or "fool."
Lucky began attending elementary school at the age of eight, and despite being bullied from time to time, he never felt like he was different from the other students in his class due to his physical disability. Instead, he tried to fit in and befriend his peers. Every day, he would arrive early at school to help with tasks such as mopping the classroom floor.
https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2023/05/10/cerebral-palsy-cyclist-70000km-7-years-beyond