Daijiworld Media Network - Beijing
Beijing, Dec 29: A 36-year-old man from China, paralysed and able to move only one finger and one toe, has emerged as a symbol of resilience after successfully building a smart farm control system and starting his own company, despite being dependent on a ventilator.
Li Xia, a native of Chongqing in southwestern China, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of five. The progressive illness forced him to drop out of school in the fifth grade. However, his passion for learning never faded. He continued educating himself independently, developing a keen interest in physics and computer science.
Li’s introduction to computers came through a school textbook brought home by his younger sister. Fascinated, he repeatedly read the book and eagerly waited each year for new editions. At 25, he began learning programming through online forums, laying the foundation for his future innovations.
As his condition worsened, Li gradually lost the ability to walk, eat, and breathe independently. In recent years, his movement was limited to just one finger and one toe. In 2020, he slipped into a coma, underwent a tracheotomy, and doctors warned his family that his chances of survival were slim.
In early 2021, while recovering, Li discovered soilless farming, which sparked a transformative idea. Combining his knowledge of programming and Internet of Things (IoT) technology, he set out to design a smart agricultural control system. Operating a virtual keyboard using his one finger and toe, he successfully developed a complete system while remaining on a ventilator.
Following his parents’ separation in 2017, Li’s mother, Wu Dimei, became his primary caregiver. Under her son’s guidance, she learned technical skills from scratch — from soldering control boards and installing network wiring to assembling circuits and maintaining farm equipment. She even helped build a remote-controlled driverless vehicle used for farm deliveries.
“Now my mother can do everything,” Li said, adding that while she may not fully grasp the technical theory, she knows how to correctly connect and operate the systems.
Today, Li’s smart farm is operational and generating profits, marking a remarkable turnaround in his life. His journey has resonated widely across China, standing as a powerful reminder of how determination, learning, and family support can overcome even the most daunting challenges.