The turning point of a male student with severe spinal deformity

Jiang Yanchen (21 years old) is a student at Dezhou University, majoring in energy and dynamics engineering. The male student is known to the Chinese public for his extraordinary willpower, overcoming physical limitations to pursue his studies.

When taking important exams, Jiang is a candidate who is given special conditions to lie on the exam mat.

Bước ngoặt của nam sinh bị biến dạng cột sống nặng nề - 1 — After completing major surgeries, Jiang was recently able to stand upright for the first time in his life (Photo: SCMP).

Jiang’s life has recently undergone a major change. He has undergone four complex surgeries and has had his spine reshaped, which has helped reduce his severe deformities.

Jiang Yanchen from Shandong Province (China) has been suffering from ankylosing spondylitis since he was in primary school. This is a rare form of arthritis that can cause severe deformities in the spine. The disease caused Jiang’s neck to “bend backwards” towards his back, and his height was only about 1 meter.

Jiang's mother, Yu Meiying, choked up as she spoke about the silent difficulties her son had to learn to overcome: "His head is tilted back, and every small daily activity is a challenge because he cannot see like a normal person. Even though he has normal vision, many times he can only use his hands to do each task with difficulty and slowly."

Last August, Jiang’s family began taking him to a leading specialist in spinal surgery in China. In the months that followed, Jiang began undergoing a series of grueling surgeries to correct his spine, some lasting more than 12 hours.

On June 25, after completing the major surgeries, Jiang was able to stand upright for the first time in his life. After that, the male student will undergo rehabilitation training.

Faced with his own significant change, male student Jiang Yanchen said: “I entered university on my knees, and I knelt on the carpet to take exams. Now, I want to stand up and move on. When my physical condition has less limitations, I can become a more useful person and contribute more to society.

Throughout my studies, I always had to kneel to do my homework. In the next steps, I want to be able to stand up, walk and continue my graduate studies.”

The story of Jiang Yanchen's life continues to move the Chinese online community. Many people expressed their admiration for Jiang and sent him good luck wishes.

A netizen commented: “This young man is a living testament to the power of indomitable will. The road ahead of him now is wide open, I hope he will continue to be strong to fulfill his dream.”