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An Amazing Story Of Strength And Perseverance
In 1996 a promising 19 years old professional ballerina Ma Li lost her right arm in a car accident. Her life would never be the same, her boy friend couldn’t handle what was going on and he walked away from her. She tried to kill herself only to be saved by her parents. Then Ma Li found the strength to live.
Ma Li had to learn how to do everything: how to write, comb her hair, cook, and wash clothes… She had to learn how to be an independent person again.
Five years after the accident, with the passion in her heart Ma Li returned to the theater. Ma Li found her soul mate Tao and the two of them worked in the performance arts. Then in 2004 SARS outbreak happened in China and as a result all the theaters were closed. The young couple were completely broke as they were trying to develop a unique performance for Ma Li.
In September 2005, Ma Li met 21-year-old national Special Olympics cyclist Zhai Xiaowei. When Zhai was 4 years old he fell off a tractor and lost his left leg. His father at the time asked little Zhai, “”The doctor will have to amputate your leg. Are you afraid?” Zhai couldn’t comprehend what would be so different so he said “N0”. His father said, “You are going to face many challenges and difficulties in life, are you afraid?” Zhai asked, “What are ‘challenges and difficulties?’ Do they taste good?” His dad laughed with tears, “Yes, they’re like your favorite candies. You just need to eat them one piece at a time!” Zhai has always been very optimistic and athletic with a great sense of humor. When Ma Li first told Zhai about her plan for him to dance, Zhai initially didn’t understand how he could “dance,” being that he had never danced before, but later he decided to give it a try.
Ma Li, Tao and Zhai did intensive training and practice for over one year, day in day out from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Most of us cannot even imagine the kind of challenges and difficulties they faced. So much determination has gone into the making of this performance. Zhai dropped her more than thousands of times!!!
Ma Li and Zhai Xiaowei was the first time a handicapped couple ever entered the CCTV national dance competition and they won the hearts of millions.
The rest is history. In April they were one of the finalists among 7000 competitors in the 4th CCTV national dance competition. It is the first time a handicapped couple ever entered the competition. They won the Silver medal with the 99.17 high score and not to mention the highest audience popular votes. They became an instant national hit.
Ma Li and Zhai Xiaowei are two exquisite artists. This performance is a powerful testimony to the power of the human spirit. It may be hard to imagine someone who is missing a limb to aspire to be a Ballerina, however, this video is proof that dreams do indeed come true.
Please view this remarkable video....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c&feature=player_embedded
In 1996 a promising 19 years old professional ballerina Ma Li lost her right arm in a car accident. Her life would never be the same, her boy friend couldn’t handle what was going on and he walked away from her. She tried to kill herself only to be saved by her parents. Then Ma Li found the strength to live.
Ma Li had to learn how to do everything: how to write, comb her hair, cook, and wash clothes… She had to learn how to be an independent person again.
Five years after the accident, with the passion in her heart Ma Li returned to the theater. Ma Li found her soul mate Tao and the two of them worked in the performance arts. Then in 2004 SARS outbreak happened in China and as a result all the theaters were closed. The young couple were completely broke as they were trying to develop a unique performance for Ma Li.
In September 2005, Ma Li met 21-year-old national Special Olympics cyclist Zhai Xiaowei. When Zhai was 4 years old he fell off a tractor and lost his left leg. His father at the time asked little Zhai, “”The doctor will have to amputate your leg. Are you afraid?” Zhai couldn’t comprehend what would be so different so he said “N0”. His father said, “You are going to face many challenges and difficulties in life, are you afraid?” Zhai asked, “What are ‘challenges and difficulties?’ Do they taste good?” His dad laughed with tears, “Yes, they’re like your favorite candies. You just need to eat them one piece at a time!” Zhai has always been very optimistic and athletic with a great sense of humor. When Ma Li first told Zhai about her plan for him to dance, Zhai initially didn’t understand how he could “dance,” being that he had never danced before, but later he decided to give it a try.
Ma Li, Tao and Zhai did intensive training and practice for over one year, day in day out from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Most of us cannot even imagine the kind of challenges and difficulties they faced. So much determination has gone into the making of this performance. Zhai dropped her more than thousands of times!!!
Ma Li and Zhai Xiaowei was the first time a handicapped couple ever entered the CCTV national dance competition and they won the hearts of millions.
The rest is history. In April they were one of the finalists among 7000 competitors in the 4th CCTV national dance competition. It is the first time a handicapped couple ever entered the competition. They won the Silver medal with the 99.17 high score and not to mention the highest audience popular votes. They became an instant national hit.
Ma Li and Zhai Xiaowei are two exquisite artists. This performance is a powerful testimony to the power of the human spirit. It may be hard to imagine someone who is missing a limb to aspire to be a Ballerina, however, this video is proof that dreams do indeed come true.
Please view this remarkable video....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c&feature=player_embedded
