Inspiring photos of Paralympians at Rio 2016

At the Rio 2016 Paralympics, every photo tells a story.

Chinese athlete Zhong Zhiqiang in the men's high jump - T42 Final.

Zhang Li won a gold medal for the women's 200-meter freestyle, 50-meter freestyle and mixed 4x50-meter freestyle relay. She said of her performance: "When life gives you 100 reasons to weep, you can prove that there are 1,000 reasons to smile."

Danish athlete Stinna Laastrup seen here competing in an equestrian event.

Nothing is impossible

Egyptian table tennis player Ibrahim Hamadtou lost both arms in an accident when he was 10. However, this did not reduce his love of table tennis. After various attempts, he found that he could play table tennis with his mouth. "I want to tell everybody that nothing is impossible, and everybody should work hard for what you love and what you think is good for yourself," Hamadtou said before the games began. "The disability is not in arms or legs; the disability is to not persevere in whatever you would like to do."

Don't yield to fate

American Mathew Stutzman shoots an arrow with his special technique. He can do practically everything most people do with their hands by using his feet, from putting on clothes and brushing his teeth to shooting arrow. "My feet are my hands," Stutzman explained.

I have only one leg, but I stand firmly just like you do

Chinese player Liang Guihua. Liang lost his left leg in an accident when he was 4 years old. With perseverance, Liang learned how to swim and ride a bicycle. He broke the world record and won a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics. He claimed the title again at the Rio Paralympics. "We cannot change the misfortune, but we can change our attitude toward life. I have only one leg, but I stand firmly just like you do," Liang said.

A Paralympian participates in the Boccia event at the Rio Paralympic Games. Boccia is practiced by people with cerebral palsy or related neurological conditions. Paralympic players wear an electronic device on their heads, which helps them judge the position of the target. A track is provided to help them throw the ball. For the players, the game is both a method of recovery and a spiritual reward.

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