A student who has been given the nickname the "folded boy" has undergone several risky surgeries to hopefully correct his spine.
Jiang Yanchen, 19, from China's Shandong province, has been grappling with ankylosing spondylitis, a debilitating disorder that contorted his spine into a Z-shape, leaving his head and backside just inches apart, per the Sun.
Ankylosing spondylitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the spine, typically manifests in symptoms like back pain, stiffness, and swelling.
However, Jiang's case is extreme, with his spine twisted backward at a severe 180-degree angle.
This not only caused constant agony but also severely impaired his ability to walk, eat, and even breathe, reducing his lung capacity to 20 percent of a healthy adult's.
To offer Jiang a chance at a more functional life, he underwent two high-risk surgeries in May and August 2023.
Led by Dr. Wang Yu, chief physician at Peking University Hospital's Department of Orthopaedics, the procedures were intricate and extremely dangerous.
The first operation involved breaking Jiang's cervical spine apart, stretching it, and stabilizing it with a frame, which remained attached throughout the process.
Dr. Yu said: "The next stage is to loosen the frame and straighten the spine section by section, locking it in, loosening, locking it in, loosening, we keep repeating these steps."
The surgeries, however, were not without their challenges. Jiang's post-operative recovery was marred by intense pain and difficulty in movement, prompting fears of possible nerve injury among doctors.
His mother, Yu Meiying, tearfully recalled his struggles, describing how Jiang woke up in agony, barely able to move.
Despite the hurdles, Jiang's determination never wavered. Even before the surgeries, he maintained his academic pursuits, taking final exams while lying on a yoga mat, per the South China Morning Post.
"If I give up on myself, I'll be a useless person even after I get cured," Jiang said.
Miraculously, Jiang emerged from the surgeries with his spine now released back to a 90-degree angle, offering him a renewed sense of freedom.
He celebrated his 19th birthday in the hospital before finally being discharged, marking a significant milestone in his journey towards recovery.
Jiang's journey is far from over. The process of unraveling his spine is expected to continue, as he hopes to one day be able to stand up straight and live his life to the fullest.
People can't quite believe Jiang's struggles and how he's preserved, as one person commented under a YouTube video documenting his disability: "The fact that he was determined to go to university despite all his pain and medical difficulties is remarkable!"
A second person said: "It’s extraordinary how he can maintain a focused mind while experiencing such a level of pain and discomfort."
A third added: "Watching his determination makes me feel ashamed of not achieving more given the circumstances. Really proud of this man. He's a true soldier."
We wish Jiang all the best with his treatment and the future!
.jpg_SHJm3T?tr=h-40)
.jpg_3izBdR?tr=h-40)
.jpg_SHJm3T?tr=h-184)
.jpg_3izBdR?tr=h-184)
