A Chinese man living with cerebral palsy has achieved academic excellence, earning a master's degree from Harvard University, thanks to the tireless support and love of his mother.
Ding Zheng, now 37, from Hubei province in central China, was born in 1988 with cerebral palsy due to birth complications.
Doctors and his father advised his mother, Zou Hongyan, to give up on him—but she refused. Determined to give him a future, Zou committed to raising her son against all odds.
Despite facing rejection from his father and being bullied at school, Ding showed strong academic potential. Zou, a college lecturer, focused on building both his physical and mental strength.
She even taught him to use chopsticks instead of a spoon so he wouldn't have to explain his disability when he grew up—something she said was about "protecting his dignity."
With limited income—just 100 yuan (around US$14) per month—Zou managed to pay for his regular rehab sessions.
She took on extra jobs, teaching etiquette and selling insurance, and was even elected as a delegate to the National People's Congress in 1998.
When Ding was 10, Zou divorced his father, who had shown no care or involvement in his upbringing.
Ding's grandmother chose to stay and support them.
Zou constantly encouraged her son to try, even when he doubted himself.
Her persistence paid off—Ding excelled academically, earning a place at Peking University in 2007.
He later attended the School of Transnational Law there and went on to Harvard for his master's degree in law.
He completed the programme in one year and passed the New York State bar exam.
Today, Ding works as a legal counsel in his hometown.
Zou has kept meticulous records of his journey, from birth documents to school transcripts.
Reflecting on her son's success, she said she remembers the fragile baby who nearly didn't survive—and the boy who once struggled so much to fit in.
The story of their determination has deeply moved many online, with people praising Zou for her strength, love, and resilience. One comment summed it up: "The mother and grandmother stayed. The father left. Women are the backbone of the family."
Source:https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3312002/disabled-chinese-man-achieves-harvard-masters-degree-thanks-mums-unwavering-support
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