New Legs Bring a New Life for the “Basketball Girl”


Medical rehabilitation opens up a lifetime of opportunities for Qian Hongyan



Qian Hongyan’s life changed in an instant. The bright and active three year old girl’s future was full of promise until the day in 2000 when she was struck and pulled under the front wheels of a large delivery truck. Doctors in her native Yunnan province were able to save her life, but both of Hongyan’s legs were lost.

On returning to her poor rural village, Hongyan’s prospects were bleak. With no further treatment available, the young girl had to get by as best as she could despite her severe disability. Unable to walk, she was forced to push herself along on the ground using homemade paddles. To protect her lower body, her family cut open a worn basketball and placed her inside. In her village she became known as the “Basketball Girl”.

Despite her injuries, Hongyan’s spirits were not crushed. Over the next few years, her neighbors became accustomed to the sight of her trying to keep up with her play-mates and family members, pushing herself forward as fast as her arms could bear. Her bright and bubbly personality and indomitable spirit charmed all who met her. Even with her personal strength, rural Yunnan is a difficult place for a young girl with disabilities. After five years, Hongyan’s family and teachers realized that her future would be limited unless something was done to improve her physical abilities. With few options for Hongyan in Yunnan province, her family turned to Beijing and the China Rehabilitation Research Center.

Founded in 1988, the China Rehabilitation Research Center (CRRC) is the foremost medical rehabilitation center in China. In addition to medical and rehabilitation services, the CRRC is also a leader in biomedical engineering and in research into cutting edge treatments for neurological disorders. Hongyan’s rehabilitation began with an extensive evaluation by specialists in the field of prosthetics, experts in the art and science of creating new limbs for amputees like Hongyan. She also underwent an intensive course of physical conditioning to prepare her for the exertions of walking on artificial legs.

True to her spirit Hongyan thrived in rehab, and discovered a love for swimming during aquatic therapy. After months of rehabilitation Hongyan was successfully fitted with new prosthetic legs. She is now able to walk with the use of crutches, and has returned to home and school in Yunnan province. Her love of swimming continues, and she is now training in hope of swimming competitively in the 2012 Paralympic Games.