立志做中国“霍金”的他，报到北航丨Special needs freshman feels at ease in school

导读 

9月2日，北航迎来了第一名2021级本科新生邢益凡。他在父母的陪伴下，提前入住校园爱心宿舍。6个月大时，他被确诊为LAMA2-相关先天性肌营养不良（渐冻症的一种，全国病友不超过百人）。今年，邢益凡以645分的好成绩被北航工科试验班（信息类）录取。邢益凡立志要做中国的“霍金”，用自己的知识改变世界。

Last week, Beihang University welcomed Xing Yifan, an undergraduate freshman for the fall 2021 semester.

Xing, accompanied by his parents, was the first to arrive on campus and moved into the university's special needs dormitories.

▲ Xing Yifan poses for a photo with his parents. Photo/WeChat account of Beihang University

At 18 years old, he weighs only 18 kilograms due to a rare disease.

Six months after his birth, Xing was diagnosed with LAMA2-related congenital muscular dystrophy, a neuromuscular disorder.

Xing's parents did not want their son's right to education stripped away by the disease, which already makes him unable to run, jump or walk independently.

Looking up to world-leading theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking for inspiration, Xing also desires to change the world with knowledge and receives full support from his parents.

"Every day is a challenge and it's a war without bullets for us. So long as we can make it through a day, it's our victory. So, I try not to think too far into the future and focus on living the fullest in the present," his father Xing Dacheng said during an interview.

From elementary to high school, Xing's parents have stayed by his side while also making ends meet. The couple hasn't had a single night of good sleep, often waking up every 2 hours to adjust their son's body position in bed.

▲ Xing Yifan is seen writing at a desk. Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn

Due to severe spinal deformity, Xing can only sit up straight for 30 minutes per class. For the remaining time, he has to listen while lying down and try to absorb the knowledge with the help of his imagination.

His symptoms have progressively gotten worse over the years and his mother persuaded him to switch to a less competitive class.

"Since I was accepted into the innovative class, I will complete my studies here. I do not think I have any reason to back out," Xing said. "I want to see how far I can go. I want to push forward more."

This year, he scored 645 points during the gaokao, or national college entrance exam. But his health conditions made his admission to a university more complicated.

▲ Photo/WeChat account of Beihang University

"I had to tell every university's admission officer about my son's disease and conditions, and ask if they would accept him," the father said.

A teacher from Beihang University's admission office accepted Xing on June 25 during an enrollment conference.

The family cried tears of joy when the teacher confirmed Xing Yifan's acceptance into Beihang University.

The university offered him a room in the first floor of the dorm for students with special needs, where his mother can live to take care of him full-time.

"People from the university asked about my difficulties and tried their best to solve problems for me. I felt warm and grateful. I heard college life is colorful and fulfilling, so I hope to know more students here and participate in many activities," Xing said.

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