Legless shoemaker's video wins hearts

Huang Huaquan moves using his hands and two stools in Heping county, Guangdong province. (Photo provided to CHINA DAILY)

Huang Huaquan, a 44-year-old legless shoemaker from Yangming township in Heping county, Guangdong province, has captured the hearts of many with his inspiring journey. Despite dreaming of giving a speech at Harvard, Huang's true desire is to lead a simple life — getting married and having children like his peers.

Currently recovering from a kidney stone surgery at home, Huang said he hoped to soon return to his shoe repair stall, where he usually earns between 200 and 300 yuan ($28-42) a day.

Huang became known, locally and online, after he posted a video online in English, sharing his dream of giving a speech at the prestigious university.

In his video he said his strong heart, not just his hands, helps him to overcome adversity.

The video was widely shared and resonated with many. Huang said he now has more than 200,000 followers online.

Huang's story also caught the attention of the Harvard Alumni Association in Beijing.

Xu Liang, president of the association, said he was deeply moved by Huang's determination after watching the video and announced plans to help him achieve his dream. "For such a man who pursues progress and self-improvement, we should give him a warm response," Xu said.

The association plans to invite Huang to Beijing to give a speech in August. "Members and families of the association, as well as some of his fans, will then be invited to the speech on-site," Xu said.

Xu also expressed hopes of helping Huang "stand up again" using science and technology, adding that a company had contacted him to help Huang install bionic prostheses. The company will send special personnel to Huang's home for a further physical examination, Xu said.

Huang was born into a poor farming family in a local Fulian village and lost both his legs in a car accident at 6, leaving only the residual limbs at the base of his thighs.

Due to his financial constraints, he couldn't afford to install prosthetic limbs and learned to move using his hands and two small stools.

Despite leaving school after primary education due to health reasons, Huang taught himself English using a dictionary, radio and cassettes. With his talent and diligence, Huang is now able to talk to people fluently in English.

He often broadcasts live in English on short video platforms, attracting many likes from viewers.

Huang's athletic achievements are equally impressive.

In 2003, as recommended by the disabled persons' federation of Heping county, Huang became a weightlifter. His dedication paid off in April 2023, when he won the gold medal in the lying lift category of the men's 65 kg weightlifting competition at the 9th Guangdong Provincial Paralympic Games. "Competing against many talented younger athletes born in the '90s and 2000s, I was able to win the gold medal, bringing my sports career to a successful close," Huang said proudly.

Throughout his sports career, Huang had won multiple medals, including one gold, one silver and two bronze, before retiring from active competition due to physical reasons. He still lifts weights as a hobby and has weightlifting equipment at home.

In 2017, Huang set up a shoe repair booth in the county town. He learned umbrella and shoe repair skills from a disabled friend.

He operates his booth almost every day, regardless of wind or rain.

Huang has won many repeat customers with his exquisite craftsmanship, good services and reasonable fees — from 2-10 yuan.

A neighboring store owner praised Huang for his kindness, noting he usually doesn't charge senior customers. Many people visit his booth as he is a good workman, the owner added.

Beyond shoe repair, Huang was appointed as a recommendation officer for the Heping competition area of the "Heyuan village soccer super league competition" and is preparing for a summer camp to tutor children in English and share his inspirational story.

In May 2024, Huang achieved another milestone in his life when he obtained a C5 driver's license, allowing him to drive a modified vehicle.

Huang said he loves traveling and also dreams of driving across the country and the world in the future. Through his hard work, Huang has managed to buy a 120-square-meter apartment.

Despite his accomplishments, he still longs for companionship, hoping to find a life partner to share his heart and home.