Photo: Disabled Woman Writes 60,000 Word Book with Her Toes


A Chinese woman with cerebral palsy who can only move her left foot has written a 60,000 word fiction novel - using just her TOES.
Inspirational Hu Huiyuan, 21, grew up in a rural community in eastern China where even able-bodied children struggle to get a formal education.
But Hu, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby, was so determined to learn that she taught herself to read and write using television subtitles.
Her proud parents Peng, 49, and wife Sun, 47, say her entire life story has been about defying all odds.
  
   
Dad Peng said: "When she was born the doctors said that she would not survive more than a few days, but she did.
"They didn't know what was wrong with her at first but 10 months later they told us it was cerebral palsy.
"About the only thing she could really move was her head and her foot, but she was incredibly determined.
"She eventually learned to do all sorts of everyday tasks using just her foot.


Interviewed by local TV Hu said: "I teach myself. I'm so fascinated by the opportunities being able to read presents and being able to write allows me to communicate with so many more people.
"I’m not a genius but I’m very focused. When you have a disability like this, you have to learn patience."

Although she had been unable to find a place in a school, or even a computer, she had got round the problem by getting hold of a television and watching and learning from the subtitles.
Her mother said the determination had started earlier when she learned to speak, which was much slower and more painstaking than it would have been for a child who was not disabled.
She said her daughter would repeat words sometimes 1000 times until she could manage it.
Sun added: "Typing with just your foot doesn’t come easy for anyone either. While she’s typing, Hu needs to be fastened to her wheelchair with a belt to stabilise her."

The young woman can now comfortably manage 20 to 30 words a minute, and has finished the sixth chapter of the eight chapter book.