Armless boy finds academic success

Jiang Tianjian, 8, is a Grade One student at Meifeng Experimental School in Shehong County, Sichuan province.

Born without arms, Jiang's parents named him after a famous quote from the Book of Changes: “As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive.” Jiang's parents hoped their son would be tough when facing life's difficulties.

When he was just eight months old, Jiang's mother began to train him to hold things using his toes. She even taught him how to pick up a single strand of hair using his big toe and pointer toe when he was just 1 year old.

"It took him a long time to learn that," his mother, Li Hongmei, recalled. She was aware that the boy would need to work harder because of his handicap. "You don't have hands, but you have feet. They are as useful as other people's hands," Li encouraged her young son.

In 2016, Jiang was admitted to Meifeng Experimental School. In the classroom, he sits in the front row, and his desk is just 25 centimeters tall so he can write with a pen that he holds with his toes.

Despite his handicap, Jiang performs well in school. In the most recent mid-term exams, he earned a perfect score in both Chinese and math.

The school has created a special archive for Jiang in which his teachers record interesting things that happen to him. On the occasion of his graduation, the archive will be presented to Jiang as a special gift.

Discussing Jiang's future, Li told Newssc.org, "I hope he will be able to make a living on his own and face up to reality bravely."