Luo Dongsheng, a Chinese wheelchair user, has spent the past decade helping more than 1,800 fellow disabled individuals fulfill their dream of climbing the ancient Great Wall of China.
This Friday, just ahead of the 35th National Day of Assisting Persons with Disabilities, 174 physically disabled people from Malaysia, Hong Kong, and various regions of the Chinese mainland, assisted by volunteers, achieved the once-impossible feat of climbing the Great Wall.
Liu Xiuying (in transliteration), a disabled woman from Malaysia, was participating in an edition of the event for the fourth time, taking 12 friends with her all along. She shared how the experience not only boosted their confidence but also conveyed a powerful message that anyone, despite their disability, can have their dreams met.
"We have all been looking forward to this moment for so long. Today, we are overjoyed. We're growing more confident, and it feels like the love we carry is spreading, encouraging more people to believe that they too can come here and walk out staunchly," Liu said.
Luo, a national role model known for his determination and resilience, also expressed his joy in helping others realize their dreams of "conquering" the Great Wall.
"Today, at the Laolongtou Great Wall section, we the over 100 disabled friends have fulfilled their Great Wall dream. We're all extremely happy. I will continue with this 'Great Wall Dream' initiative, helping more disabled people achieve their dreams and find inspiration in the Great Wall's [enduring] spirit," said Luo.
Luo’s journey to helping others was shaped by his own personal struggles. Having contracted polio as a child, he faced not only physical challenges but also emotional and professional setbacks. In 1987, after experiencing a failed marriage and business collapse at the age of 25, he traveled to the famous Shanhaiguan Pass, the eastern end of the Great Wall in north China's Hebei Province, using crutches. Despite his doubts and frustrations, a group of kind-hearted tourists helped carry him up to the top of the Great Wall section.
"When I reached the top of the Great Wall section, tears streamed down my face. Looking out from the Great Wall and seeing the sea beyond, I felt an overwhelming sense of relaxation. I finally saw what the Great Wall looked like. From that moment on, I couldn’t stop thinking about it, even after I returned home," he said.
After this transformative experience, Luo moved to Shanhaiguan City, which is home to the Shanhaiguan Pass, two years later. Inspired by the Great Wall's spirit of perseverance, he rebuilt his life and made it his mission to help fellow disabled individuals climb the Great Wall.
In addition to organizing Great Wall climbs, Luo is also committed to helping fellow disabled individuals lead more independent and fulfilling lives.
His vision expanded to creating an entrepreneurial hub in Shanhaiguan where disabled people can create handmade articles and take various jobs. As a result of Luo's persistence and dedication, the "Linyu Handicraft Workshop," established in 2022 with the support of the city's disabled persons' federation, has become a beacon of hope, enabling disabled people to step out of isolation and regain their confidence from work.
"I want to help more disabled people step out of their homes and into society. Even though I may not have the resources to make them wealthy, I, at least, want to change their lives, both mentally and practically," Luo said.
The workshop offers seven different jobs for disabled people, including customized disability aids, shoe cleaning and polishing, as well as crafting various ornaments and handicrafts. The workshop fosters a supportive and collaborative atmosphere, allowing many disabled individuals to gain new skills and change the course of their lives.
"I used to feel inferior because of my physical condition, thinking that there were many things I couldn’t do. I overthought but rarely acted. But since coming here, I’ve realized that everyone is a doer and is great," said Yin Gang, a worker at the Shanhaiguan Disabled People's Comprehensive Service Center.
Looking ahead, Luo has an even bigger dream: to establish a disabled-friendly elderly care facility in the city, ensuring that disabled individuals will not have to worry about their future care needs.
Wheelchair user empowers over 1,800 fellow disabled people to "conquer" Great Wall
