NANNING, April 4 (Xinhua) -- Twelve years ago, Dong Qian, then a third-grader, was found in her classroom lying on her stomach on a modified wheeled bed, her upper body supported by her elbows, struggling with a fractured leg in a cast.

Today, she remains steadfast in her determination to overcome life's challenges, having persevered through her education journey all the way to college, using a wheeled bed, wheelchair and crutches, with unwavering support from both her family and the schools she has attended.

Dong, hailing from Lingchuan Township, situated in Lingchuan County of Guilin City in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, suffers from congenital osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), commonly known as brittle bone disease, a condition classified as a rare disease by Chinese health authorities in 2018.

She was diagnosed with OI at the age of 3 after experiencing frequent bone fractures from minor falls, and by the age of 9, she had endured more than 10 fractures.

After undergoing bone surgery in 2012, Dong's family constructed a trolley bed to facilitate her schooling, wheeling her directly to the classroom.

Since Dong began primary school, her mother, Li Guifang, has been by her side constantly, providing around-the-clock support. During every class break, she would guard her daughter from tripping or being bumped into by classmates.

To protect her daughter from potential injuries during the 5-km journey between home and school, Li stayed overnight with Dong at school on weekdays. The school provided a teacher's dorm room, free of charge, for the mother and daughter to stay in.

In 2011, Dong's 63-year-old grandmother took over the role of constant caretaker as Dong's parents had to leave her to work at a railway construction site.

Apart from the time when she fractured her bones and attended classes in a wheeled bed, Dong spent her primary school years mostly in her wheelchair. From junior high school to college, she relied on crutches for walking. Despite these physical challenges, her academic performance remained unaffected, and she pursued achievements equal to, if not surpassing, those of her healthy peers.

"I didn't falter at any hardships that struck my family over the years, because on one hand, I aimed to demonstrate my capabilities were equal to anyone else's, and on the other, I aspired for the day when my parents could rely on me," Dong said.

Speaking previously about his daughter, Dong Huiling expressed the happiness and solace Dong Qian brought them, albeit in a few words, "When we were busy working at the construction site, she sent us caring messages."

However, when reflecting on his daughter's health, Dong Huiling couldn't shake off feelings of helplessness and frustration. "We've sought treatment from every hospital in Guilin and explored options across the country, only to discover there is no cure," he said, tears welling up.

Tragedy befell the family in 2022 with the untimely demise of Dong Huiling at the age of 46, leaving behind Dong Qian, her mother and her younger sister. "My mother was left alone to bear all the heavy burdens, and considering my health conditions, I have to exert extra efforts to shield her from any future storms," Dong Qian said.

In the fall of 2022, Dong Qian was enrolled at Guilin Normal College. Upon learning about her health conditions, the college allocated a dorm room for her and outfitted it to meet her special needs.

Dong would return home every weekend to provide company to her mother and sister, hoping to bring more laughter and warmth into their lives.

Reflecting on the future, Dong said she is determined to confront life's challenges head-on. "I believe that fortitude comes from unwavering convictions, and a brighter future is attainable for those with strong minds." Enditem

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