Female host paralyzed at 22, becomes 'wheelchair phoenix' 11 years later

Paralyzed at the age of 22, Liang Yi overcame despair to return to Hunan television after 11 years, emerging as a symbol of resilience, affectionately known as the "wheelchair phoenix".

Liang Yi, born in 1979, is the first television host in Chinese history to work from a wheelchair. Her story, recently highlighted by SCMP, serves as a testament to human resilience and rebirth in the face of adversity.

Tragedy struck one morning in September 2001. Liang Yi, then 22 years old, had just graduated top of her class from Communication University of China and had been working at Hunan television for four months. While preparing for a major gala, she experienced sudden, severe pain and collapsed within 5 minutes. Her entire body from the neck down lost all sensation.

Liang Yi. Photo: Weibo

Doctors diagnosed her with a rare congenital spinal vascular malformation. The malformation ruptured, compressing her central nervous system and causing complete paralysis.

After 65 days bedridden in critical condition, her family found Doctor Ling Feng at Xuanwu Hospital in Beijing. A successful surgery helped Liang regain sensation in her upper body, but she permanently lost the ability to walk, becoming bound to a wheelchair.

Facing her harsh reality, Liang plunged into a severe psychological crisis. She changed her phone number, isolated herself, and cried daily, witnessing her body scarred and disfigured by medication side effects. However, her mother's care, community encouragement, and a meeting with renowned disabled writer Shi Tiesheng revitalized her spirit. Shi's advice helped Liang find inner strength through reading and contemplation.

Determined to rebuild her life, Liang treated physical therapy as a "full-time job". She spent 6 hours daily repeating basic movements thousands of times, such as turning over, crawling, and sitting up. "I gritted my teeth, persevered, drenched in sweat, not daring to be careless for even a second," the host recalled. Her extraordinary efforts gradually allowed her to sit steadily, regain dexterity in her hands, and even arm-wrestle friends.

In 2011, Liang passed the entrance exam for a master's program in broadcasting. One year later, she officially returned to the small screen, hosting programs on Hunan television, marking a spectacular comeback after more than a decade away.

To appear on air, Liang had to leave home three hours early for preparation, even though her workplace was only 20 minutes away. She trained diligently to keep her spine straight using a specialized cushion, ensuring it didn't affect her breath control while speaking. In addition to hosting, she writes books, engages in charity work, and established a website supporting rehabilitation patients.

The Chinese public affectionately calls her the "smiling angel" or "wheelchair phoenix". Reflecting on her journey, Liang Yi attributes her current success to her perseverance and her mother's immense love. "Do not underestimate the power of persistence. Thanks to it, we overcome challenges to become better versions of ourselves," she shared.