Brave three-year-old boy battles back from loss of his lower left leg in traffic accident with prosthetic limb emblazoned with Marvel comic icon. Proud parents share every step of his rehabilitation by posting videos online, earning love and blessings from Internet users. — SCMP
The moment he put on his new custom-built Iron Man prosthetic leg, three-year-old Wu Yicheng from central China’s Hubei province was up and running with joy.
A video showing the moment the happy toddler ran to his parents on his new leg has moved many Chinese social media users to tears after it was posted on Douyin on Dec 21.
Yicheng lost the lower part of his left leg when he was two-years-five-months old. Tragedy struck when he was run over by a truck as he played on a village road.
In September 2021, his family were approached by the Morning Star Home – founded by amputee dancer Liao Zhi and her husband, prosthetics specialist Charles Wang – who provided rehabilitation and made the youngster’s first prosthetic leg.
But recently, a growing Yicheng was ready for his third replacement lower limb.
His parents had the metal leg custom-made with an illustration of Yicheng’s favourite fantasy character, Iron Man.
“We want to help him to accept the prosthetic leg and grow up with optimism,” Yicheng’s father said.
“He also showed off his leg to other children at the kindergarten, ‘Look at my Iron Man leg!’” His father said he proudly told the other children.
The toddler’s parents opened a Douyin account to “document their child’s tenacious growth” as he recovered from the accident.
Instead of complaining about their misfortune, they posted videos of Yicheng practising with his prosthetic leg and trying to live life like any three-year-old.
Every step of the way, from trying on a new prosthetic leg and working hard to put it on by himself, to making friends who don’t mind his appearance, his mum and dad recorded every moment of his rehabilitation.
“We hope society won’t treat him differently,” Yicheng’s parents said in a comment under one of their videos.
“He needs encouraging words and smiles like sunshine, not pity or meticulous care,” they continued.
The positive attitude of the family has won support from many online.
“Little guy, I wish you to walk as fast as flash in the future!” A Douyin user said.
“Don’t be sad. My right lower leg was also amputated and I live like an ordinary person,” said another.
“I was moved to tears when I saw him stand up. This is the true meaning of science, helping people to achieve happiness,” a third Douyin poster said. – South China Morning Post
