Li Hua, a farmer from rural China, faced a debilitating challenge at just 19 when he developed an extreme case of ankylosing spondylitis, a rare form of arthritis.
Over the years, the condition caused him to gradually fold forward, rendering him unable to walk or eat properly.
By the age of 35, he became known as China’s only ‘three-on’ patient - with his chin resting on his chest, sternum on his pubis, and face on his femur, putting immense pressure on his internal organs and posing a fatal threat.
For Li Hua, the future seemed bleak, especially as his devoted mother, Tang Dongchen, grew older and worried about his care if she were to pass away before he was cured, per That's Life. Their impoverished family lacked the means to afford treatment, leaving Li Hua's fate uncertain.
"I had been taking him from one hospital to the next since he was 18. I can't really complain because, after all, he is my son," she told The South China Morning Post. "It is not his fault that he got sick."
However, in 2019, hope emerged when surgeons from Shenzhen University General Hospital devised a meticulous plan to address Li Hua's condition.
Accompanied by his mother, Li Hua journeyed nearly 500 miles from his rural village to seek medical attention in Shenzhen.
Led by Professor Tao Huiren, they embarked on a series of four risky surgeries over several months, breaking and straightening Li Hua's bones to alleviate the pressure and restore his posture.
Prior to the surgery, the family was told of the risks: "He could go into hemorrhagic shock, become a paraplegic, or even die"
Describing the endeavor as akin to "climbing Mount Everest" in terms of medical complexity, Professor Tao and his team performed the intricate procedures from June to December, gradually "opening up" Li Hua's body to enable him to stand upright once more.
Per the Daily Mail, the specialized team addressed different sections of Li Hua's spine and hip, ultimately enabling him to lie flat and even undergo a hip replacement.
After months of intensive rehabilitation, Li Hua regained his ability to stand, walk with assistance, and eventually walk unaided.
His remarkable progress culminated in his discharge from the hospital just in time for his 46th birthday, marking a newfound sense of freedom and independence.
The South China Morning Post revealed that Li Hua is now running a shop for a living and cherishes the simple joys of life, including the ability to sleep on his back.
As part of his rehabilitation, he now uses special equipment to exercise twice a day at home for 30 minutes.
He also expressed thanks to his mother, telling the Post: "My mother is a king and extraordinary woman. Before the surgery, I couldn't take care of myself."
Grateful for Professor Tao and the medical team's expertise, Li Hua considers them his saviors, embodying a remarkable tale of resilience and triumph over adversity.
