At the 2023 Shenzhen Marathon, Luo Shujian, a 45-year-oldman, ran across the finish line with a unique stroller (婴儿手推车). His son Xiaobai who is thirteen years old sat in the stroller and he has cerebral palsy (脑瘫).
Xiaobai's mother and sister, through a video call joined in the celebration of the 56th marathon run by the father and his son since 2015.
Because Xiaobai has cerebral palsy, he spent more than two years learning how to walk. He can't express any emotion (情感) by speaking. But when he is clapping (拍手) and smiling, it means he is very happy. For most of Xiaobai's lifetime, he can only stay in the recovery room (康复室) at home. However, Luo did not give up trying to give his son a full and happy life.
Luo read a story of Dick Hoyt and his son on the Internet. Inspired (鼓舞) by Dick's spirit, Luo started undertaking (从事) marathon training activities with Xiaobai. Luo works 12 hours everyday, and he had no sports experience. So he keeps on getting up at 4 a.m. to jog or cycle before work.
Sitting in the stroller during the marathon is also a big challenge for Xiaobai. "Xiaobai has the same state as runners. He will feel excited in good fitness and feel tired in poor fitness." said Luo. Xiaobai likes to stare at the outside world while sitting in the stroller during races, clapping and smiling to show his happiness.
Luo and his family have overcome (克服) many difficulties and they will keep running together with Xiaobai in the future, giving Xiaobai the best possible life in the process.