A 43-year-old double hand amputee has decided to write a different future for himself, picking up calligraphy after losing his arms in an unfortunate accident over three decades ago.
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Jia Weijun from the city of Baoji in northwest China’s Shaanxi Province spent the past 22 years making a living from calligraphy and creating a life that many have admired, although he has lost his two hands.
A high voltage electric shock at eight years old led to Jia losing his left arm and half of his right arm. The traumatized kid dropped out of school, but knew that life does not stop, and should not stop, at one’s pains.
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His parents tried to talk him out of leaving the nest to start earning a living, but Jia decided to embark on a journey that would take him in 1992 to the streets of Xi’an, the provincial capital of Shaanxi Province. He learned Chinese calligraphy and sold his artistic and intricate work to make ends meet.
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A desk, a chair, several brushes and an ink slab are the tools Jia needs to create magic on fans.
Inspired and impressed by ancient Chinese prose, he spends two hours to decorate one item.
Life in Xi’an proved to be challenge to Jia, but the man was never discouraged, fighting to make a living.
In 2000, Jia tied the knot and his wife would soon be an incentive to carry on with calligraphy, supporting him unconditionally.
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Jia’s years of hard work eventually paid off, and he became a member of the Calligraphers Association of Shaanxi five years ago.
Jia Weijun's work /VCG Photo
Jia practices calligraphy with the help of his wife and sells his work outside tourist attractions in the city.
