Increasingly, disabled finding ways to earn a living

GUIYANG — Dressed in a white uniform, 35-year-old chef Li Yuanyuan skillfully maneuvered a pan with one hand while deftly stirring ingredients using a spatula in the other. Despite occasional moments of clumsiness, he confidently livestreamed his culinary skills on social media.

Hailing from Bijie city, Guizhou province, Li was born with cerebral palsy. However, he refused to let his condition hinder his aspirations. Through perseverance and dedication, he honed his cooking skills and eventually opened a successful restaurant specializing in delectable fried chicken.

As a child, Li faced challenges when it came to feeding himself and relied on his parents for assistance, but he remained undeterred. He was always encouraged to engage in physical activities and explore a variety of interests.

"I remember breaking five tricycles while learning to ride and smashing many plates and bowls when I was trying to learn how to wash the dishes," he recalled fondly.

While growing up, he developed a genuine passion for cooking.

"Whenever friends and relatives praised me for the dishes I cooked, I was thrilled," he said.

Although he never received professional training, he perfected his culinary skills through practice. In 2016, he opened his first restaurant specializing in takeaway fried chicken.

As his chicken gained popularity, Li decided to expand his reach by livestreaming on social media and began earning nearly 7,000 to 8,000 yuan ($968 to $1,106) a month.

An increasing number of disabled people like Li are managing to realize their dreams in various sectors.

In China, there are about 85 million people with disabilities. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), more than 50,000 disabled students enrolled in institutions of higher learning, and an additional 1.81 million disabled people found jobs, according to official data.

Last year, a three-year action plan promoting the employment of the disabled was issued by the State Council, China's Cabinet, setting the goal of creating 1 million new jobs for disabled people by the end of next year.

Significant efforts are being undertaken to promote employment opportunities for people belonging to specific groups.

The seventh National Vocational Skills Competition for Disabled People took place in Jinan, capital of Shandong province, last week. The event attracted 950 competitors from across the country.

Among them was Lan Yuanhua, a skilled 38-year-old barista hailing from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

"My physical disability doesn't prevent me from making good coffee," she said.

Despite being diagnosed with brittle bone disease, a congenital condition that makes bones prone to fractures, Sun Shengru from Shandong has defied all odds. Over the course of a decade, she dedicated herself to mastering the art of carving and established her own studio specializing in crafting exquisite purple-clay teapots.

"I am selling my works across China," she said.

"I hope that more people like me can find their way, and lead fulfilling lives filled with happiness and confidence."

During the three-day competition, a job fair specifically for people with disabilities was also held in Jinan, with nearly 2,500 job positions available for interested candidates.

The rise of livestreaming e-commerce in China has also created more job opportunities.

Currently, about 2.4 million people with disabilities are working in online stores or are engaged in livestreaming sales in the country.

Wang Ting, from the Ningxia Hui autonomous region, spent eight years working in the internet industry before becoming a livestreamer in 2016.

With six friends, she began selling handicrafts made by people with disabilities in the region. Their offerings include exquisite works of embroidery and intricate paper-cutting.

Similarly, chef Li had a strong desire to help others. On China's national day of assisting people with disabilities, which is observed on the third Sunday of May every year, he prepares meals for other disabled people in his community.

"Before reaching where I am today, I received tremendous help and encouragement. So, I am determined to pay it forward, to assist and inspire others. Only in this way can my life acquire true meaning," he said.