China’s so-called folded boy, Jiang Yanchen, whose spine had been contorted backwards at an 180-degree angle for most of his life, has finally stood up straight. He took his first upright steps during a live-stream on August 25.
Meet Jiang Yanchen, a young man who spent his entire life unable to stand upright due to a rare spinal condition called ankylosing spondylitis. His neck was bent so severely backward that only a hand’s width separated his head from his back, leaving his height at just one meter. Yet Jiang never let his condition define his future.
In 2022, despite immense physical challenges, Jiang took his high school entrance exam while lying on a yoga mat. His perseverance paid off—he was accepted into university to study Energy and Power Engineering.
Over the past year, Jiang has undergone four extremely complex spinal surgeries. The final procedure lasted more than 12 hours, during which surgeons had to break and realign his bones, ultimately correcting his spine by an astonishing 170 degrees. The operations were so demanding that his lead doctor was seen kneeling beside him in the operating room to provide the best support possible.
Thanks to these life-changing surgeries, Jiang can now lie completely flat for the first time in 21 years.
“I got into college on my knees. Now, I aim to stand tall and go to graduate school,” Jiang said with a hopeful smile, already setting his sights on his next dream.
His mother, overwhelmed with gratitude, called the doctors their “lifeline,” saying her son’s dream has finally come true.
As for Jiang, his mission now is clear: to give back to society and make a meaningful contribution to the world.
Jiang’s journey is a powerful reminder that true strength comes not from physical ability but from perseverance, vision, and hope.
Source: Scmpnews; Chinadaily; Unknown Facts/FB