WUXI, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Every day, Xiang Chenxi would greet her fans on time in her live broadcast room in a classic Chinese-style dress and two playful braids. Except for the breathing tube implanted in her throat, the young woman is just like other live broadcasters in China.
Xiang Chenxi hosts a live broadcast in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
Chenxi was born in 1992 in central China's Hubei Province. She was still a little child when she and her parents relocated to Wuxi in Jiangsu Province. Chenxi was diagnosed with progressive muscular dystrophy when she was eight years old. As she grew older, she started to experience declining mobility.
Xiang Chenxi checks one of her shop items on e-commerce platform Taobao in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Lin Kai)
Being an independent person, Chenxi has attempted a variety of jobs to help support her family. She learned about clay figure models by chance. Chenxi improved her model-making skills through continuous learning, and she later began posting video instructions on social media. She launched an online program for creating clay figure models in March 2019. So far, more than 500 have "enrolled."
Photo taken on June 14, 2022 shows clay figure models handmade by Xiang Chenxi displayed on a shelf. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
In her live broadcasts, Chenxi not only imparts her expertise on creating clay figure models, but also offers encouragement to those going through difficult times. "We have to live elegantly with a strong mind, despite how difficult life is," she said.
Xiang Chenxi hosts a live broadcast while on a ventilator in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
In 2021, Chenxi was re-diagnosed with immune-mediated necrotizing myositis by medical experts. The rare condition closely resembles progressive muscular dystrophy. Though treatment is difficult, it is not incurable. Chenxi's boyfriend will soon travel with her to Beijing for further treatment.
Xiang Chenxi makes a clay figure model in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Bo)
Xiang Chenxi chats with her mother in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 15, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Guangzheng)
Xiang Chenxi performs rehabilitative exercises at intervals between live broadcasts in Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, June 14, 2022. (Xinhua/Li Bo)■