Ding Ding was born disabled. He had an illness called cerebral palsy(脑瘫) and doctors told his parents he was “not worth saving”. But his mother ignored doctors.

Doctors suggested his mother Zou Hongyan that she should give up the baby, saying it was worthless trying to rescue him as he would grow up either disabled or with low intelligence(智力). Even the boy’s father agreed with the doctors and told Zou that the boy would be a burden for the family for his whole life. But Zou kept on saving the boy and soon the father left them.

To support the family and provide treatment for her son, Zou took up several jobs. She taught herself how to help with his stiff muscles(僵硬的肌肉), and would also play educational games with him.

  She kept on teaching him how to use chopsticks during mealtimes, even though he found this very difficult at first. “I didn’t want him to feel embarrassed about this physical problem,” she said. “I was quite strict on him to work hard to catch up where he had difficulties.”

Ding graduated with a degree in environmental science from Peking University’s school of engineering in 2011. In 2016, after working for two years, Ding was accepted into Harvard Law School.

“I never dreamed of going to Harvard,” Ding said. “It was my mother who never stopped encouraging me to give it a try. Whenever I had any doubts, she would guide me forward.”