Chinese granny helps husband 'heal' Alzheimer's in live stream

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CGTN

At the same time every day, 77-year-old Cao Xuemei sits in front of the camera with her husband Cui Xingli and they begin their live video streaming.

"How old are you?”

“Eight."

"Do you go to kindergarten?”

“Yes."

"Which class?”

"Senior class."

Cao Xuemei and her husband. /By CGTN

Sometimes, Cui unintentionally sings: "With pairs of birds singing on the trees…”

"Been living with him for decades, yet I didn't know he could sing," Cao grinned.

Their channel is called Happy Grandma, where the couple share their happy life with the fans. They seem like a "funny old duo." The truth is, Cui was diagnosed with Alzheimer's five years ago. Cao was told that her husband has to talk to people, in order to slow the deterioration of the disease.

CGTN Photo

However, the old couple didn't talk that much at home. Thus their granddaughter suggested them open a livestream channel.

Cao agreed instantly and was eager to try it. Despite her age, she has always been decisive since the time she married Cui.

They fell instantly in love after their photos were sent to each other by a matchmaker. They spent their first date chatting and strolling along the riverbank. Cao was impressed by Cui's demeanor, so she had made up her mind.

CGTN Photo

Cui was working at China Railway Major Bridge Engineering Group Co., Ltd., which requires a lot of traveling around the country. His family background wasn't satisfying, either. The relationship was strongly opposed by Cao's family, who had both her hukou (household registration) and her job changed. Under such pressure, Cao had to write a break-up letter to Cui.

from Cui Xingli's photo album

On receiving her letter, Cui immediately asked for leave and came all the way to Cao's home with presents. Every day during the precious one-month leave, he went some 30 km on foot to the rural area just to see Cao, who was convinced that he was a reliable man.

After dating for two years, Cao went to east-central China's Nanjing City by herself in 1963 and got married with Cui, who was at the time constructing the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge. For decades, her family refused to contact her. The couple traveled with the construction team everywhere. And then their children were born, they had to live separately for over 20 years, before they finally settled down in central China's Wuhan City in 1994.

CGTN Photo

For many years, Cao had to take care of their four children all by herself, while helping out in the factories and on construction sites for extra money. Even in the toughest times, she'd always cherish Cui's love for her: "He wrote to me every week when he was working in Myanmar. And he always bought me clothes and presents he returned from a trip." She still wears the red sweater that Cui bought her for 100 yuan in 1993.

When his Alzheimer's struck, Cui began to lose his memory. Things got worse when he forgot how to dress or eat. He doesn't even recognize his own children, only murmuring words that nobody could understand. Cao felt heartbroken and insisted on taking care of him 24/7 in person. During the worst time, Cao could barely sleep at night. She was afraid that she might die first.

Cui got lost many times, yet still tried to get out at midnight. When asked about the reason, he'd always say: "I'm looking for Cao Xuemei.”

"Who is Cao Xuemei?”

"My wife.”

It seemed that he remembered nobody but his beloved wife.

CGTN Photo

Every day before live streaming begins, Cao dresses Cui up carefully in fashionable clothes. "He's always neat and clean," she said. They are very happy at the netizens' compliments.

They interact with their fans by singing and performing. Sometimes Cao tests Cui with simple questions. If he answers correctly, she kisses him as a reward. The Q&As are good to help him talk and think.

"Now my grandparents are much more out-going," the granddaughter said. Cui seems to have recovered well. He can now speak more clearly and do some simple things.

CGTN Photo

The Happy Grandma channel has more than 20,000 fans, some of whom would reach out to Cao for advice about problems in their relationships. "Love is not about money. It's about mutual support and encouragement," she said. It is indeed the true answer to their lifetime love.

The story is one in The 1.3 Billion series exploring the diverse lives that make up China.