Wenchuan earthquake survivor Liao Zhi: I was reborn

World
Europe

When recalling the killer earthquake that happened 10 years ago in Wenchuan, southwest China’s Sichuan Provicne, there was no tear from Liao Zhi. She didn't mentioned her pain when she was waiting desperately in the ruins, she didn't mention the surgery that led to the amputation of her legs, she didn't complain about the struggle she underwent having to learn to walk again with her new artificial limbs.

However, what she did say was that the most thing was: “The earthquake give me rebirth”.

“The earthquake give me rebirth,” Liao Zhi said when she recalled the Wenchuan earthquake 10 years ago. /Photo via Weibo

During the Wenchuan earthquake on May 12, 2008, 23-year-old Liao Zhi was buried in the ruins along with her mother-in-law and her 10-month-old daughter. Liao was rescued around 30 hours later, but as the only survivor from the building.

She lost almost everything in the earthquake including her marriage, house and all her savings. Even more sadly, as a dancer, she lost her legs.

Liao Zhi finished her amputation surgery in 2008. /Photo via Weibo

Two months after the medical operation, Liao danced in red clothes without her legs on the stage during a benefit performance, which moved numerous people across the country. But the next day she obtained a wound infection and recieved her second amputation surgery.

Liao Zhi dancing without her legs on the stage during a benefit performance two months after the medical operation in 2008. /Photo via VCG

After the Ya’an earthquake happened in April 2013 also in Sichuan Province, Liao went to the frontline as a volunteer to deliver foods, electric generators and help set up tents with her artificial limbs on.

Liao Zhi went to Ya'an as a volunteer with her artificial limbs after the earthquake in April 2013. /Photo via Weibo

Although training is painful, Liao never gives up dancing and keeps performing on the stage in different places.

Liao Zhi dancing with a partner on the stage. /Photo via Weibo

Currently, Liao is a happy wife as well as a proud mother. However, she is still fighting for a higher ambition – helping more people like her to recover their life value.

“If I haven’t ever suffered the disaster, I would not receive the same feeling as those earthquake victims. And if I haven’t ever done the amputation, I would not have such strong sense of mission toward the disabled. The is what difficulties and misfortune mean to life.” Liao said.

Liao Zhi is now a happy wife as well as proud mother. /Photo via Weibo