Wu Ye, together with his family sits in front of the computer to check the final grades of?gaokao. [Photo by Wu Li/For chinadaily.com.cn]
On the early morning of June 24, a 21-year-old with cerebral palsy, Wu Ye, sat with his family in front of a computer to check the final scores in the national college entrance examination, or?gaokao, which he took earlier this month.
Far exceeding his expectations, he scored 494 points, 38 points higher than the cutoff point for science.
Guizhou Satellite Television gives award to Wu Ye for his positive energy. [Photo by Wu Li/For chinadaily.com.cn]
For Wu's parents, the most comforting thing is that their son has the ability to achieve his dreams and live a productive and promising life.
Wu was diagnosed at age 2 and has experienced some speech problems and dyskinesia, a condition characterized by uncontrollable jerking movements.
His father, Wu Guoxiong, admitted that his mind was weighed down upon learning the diagnosis, but he never thought of giving up on his son.
Classmates help Wu Ye down the stairs at school. [Photo by Wu Li/For chinadaily.com.cn]
"Thankfully, his intelligence was not affected," he said.
In search of a cure — or at least ways to mitigate the illness — the father took his son to many hospitals for rehabilitation, including physical therapy and acupuncture.
Because his limbs are hard to control, Wu Ye needs to use a wall for support when walking. For more than 10 years, there was a blackish trace of fingerprints on the walls of his home.
Wu Ye's classmates often show some consideration in his need. [Photo by Wu Li/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Pain also was part of the boy's life, a source of anxiety for his young father. But never giving up echoes always in Wu Guoxiong's mind. "I will never leave you alone," he frequently told his son.
To help the boy keep pace with the other students, Wu's father carried him to school and home every day since he was 9 — twice a day for 40 minutes.
Wu Ye weighed about 70 kilograms in the sixth grade, which added to his father's burden. But the effort inspired the boy to be a diligent student, and he usually scored among the best in his class.
Wu Ye discusses and works at exercises with classmates in classroom. [Photo by Wu Li/For chinadaily.com.cn]
In junior high school, Wu applied for boarding at the school to ease his father's heavy burden.
"My son offered to live at the school, and I agreed with him because I thought we couldn't accompany him all his life. He had to learn to face reality and get used to independent living," the father said.
After seeing his son's?gaokao?scores, Wu Guoxiong endorsed the choice to study digital media at Communication University of Zhejiang.
"He wants to be an animation designer," he said. He had hoped his son would be able to choose what he was really interested in and take care of himself in college. He was not disappointed.
"Your real grades are on the path ahead," he said on WeChat.
Wu Ye works at exercises with classmates in classroom. [Photo by Wu Li/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Wu Ye posts problem set solution to assignments on the blackboard. [Photo by Wu Li/For chinadaily.com.cn]
Wu Ye concentrates on doing homework. [Photo by Wu Li/For chinadaily.com.cn]
