I refuse to let my disability define who I am

Itook the gaokao in 2007, when assistive measures for people with disabilities were basically unheard of.

I was the first visually impaired student to have someone read the test papers out loud to me during the exam. I was later admitted to Ningbo University and majored in law, which I chose because I love legal matters and also because I felt obliged to argue for the rights of people with disabilities.

The test paper was also read out to me when I took the National Judicial Examination in my senior year. I passed with ease, scoring 441 points out of a possible 600.

Later, I was admitted to Ningbo University to study for a master’s in law, but I didn’t have to take the postgraduate qualification exam because my scores were the highest among my classmates.

When I graduated in 2013, I became China’s first visually impaired lawyer.

Sometimes my disability causes judges to doubt my ability to handle a case, but once they discover that I can do the job as well as any “normal” lawyer there are no problems.

Since I became a lawyer, many people with disabilities have come to me for legal help, from marital issues to school admissions, employment rights to travel.

People with disabilities only resort to lawyers when their rights are severely violated and they need help urgently. The faster I can help them, the less desperate they will feel.

I never charge for providing legal services to people with disabilities. Sometimes, if the clients are impoverished, I pay their travel and hotel expenses.

I refuse to let my disability define who I am or how other people perceive me. Being visually impaired does not mean that I can only work as a masseur.

I attended standard schools from kindergarten onward. I did not consider myself different from my classmates except that I could listen to the teachers, but not see them.

People commonly assume that children with disabilities have difficulty learning and absorbing knowledge. People often say “It’s amazing how smart you are” or “You are doing well for a blind person”.

I don’t consider myself inferior to other people. Being visually impaired is not something I chose, but I can choose to learn, to be compassionate and help people in need.

Every person, whether disabled or not, is unique and talented in their own way. Their needs should be met and their rights should be protected.

China still has a long away to go before it becomes a truly inclusive country, but we are making progress.

Jin Xi spoke with Zou Shuo.