Shengliver’s Note: Disability does not stop Alex from living keenly. In a sense, he is more alive than a lot of “normal” guys.

Amongst my ex-classmates, a boy impresses me most.

Primary school classmates, we got on quite well with each other. Alex was kind of special because he had difficulty hearing. He had to wear a hearing aid to keep everyday conversations going. I did not think it was a big deal so I just treated Alex as one of my normal friends.

We still kept in touch with each other after my family relocated to a new city Shiyan, where my parents have been helping run the extended family’s business. After my graduation from middle school, I suggested we have a get together when I was back in the home city Wuhan. He agreed.

Upon meeting him, I was amazed. Tall and handsome, Alex was dressed in a tidy white shirt, wearing a big smile on his face. I noticed that the hearing aid was still on. As we were chatting along, I learned that Alex was studying full-time in an art school. Sculpture his passion, he had joined a city sculpture club. He had even travelled abroad on study tours to appreciate works of art from other cultures.

During our chat, I found Alex could not pronounce some words right, probably because he could not hear perfectly. It dawned on me that he would have more opportunities open to him should my friend have normal hearing. I also realised that he must have gone through a lot more challenges than us while growing up because of his impaired faculty. Despite everything, Alex had sailed through it all and shone. He is living as full and concrete a life as we “normal” guys are. What an amazing boy!

As we were saying farewell, Alex gave me one of his works as a gift and asked to hug me. I accepted it. I felt his confidence and optimism in the embrace.

Good luck, my friend.