I couldn t be a burden Man in China uses social media to raise disability awareness

CHANGSHA - A man from Qidong county in Hunan province has gained popularity online after posting about how he lives with a disability in the countryside.

Mr Luo Yaping, who contracted polio at a young age, lives a fulfilling and rewarding life in Caoyuan village, where he contributes to the community by repairing electrical items and selling produce online.

Although the 35-year-old had already been considered a pillar of his community and a “guardian of the village” where he lives, his foray into social media gave him a new wave of exposure.

He has been using this platform to show the world beyond his daily living with a disability, as well as share and promote the stories of others.

Mr Luo’s Douyin account, Village Guardian Old Luo, has 48,000 followers and received 795,000 likes.

In his early years, he isolated himself after polio caused the paralysis of his legs. That all changed one day when he chanced across a TV programme featuring a person with a disability who was self-reliant and living a full life despite adversity.

Inspired, Mr Luo convinced his mother to allow him to return to school, where his teachers and classmates embraced him, offering their unwavering support and even carrying him to classes.

This kindness ignited his determination. “I couldn’t be a burden,” said Mr Luo. “I had to repay society by helping others.”

In 2012, after attending a vocational training programme for people with disabilities, Mr Luo opened a small appliance repair shop in his village, charging minimal fees, or even nothing for minor fixes.

Eventually, he became a trusted figure, especially among elderly residents struggling with loneliness and outdated technology.

Mr Luo said many of the elderly villagers live humble lives and do not like to throw away faulty home appliances. Moreover, he said