Martin Li

    martin.mouse@163.com

    HE is almost 26 but his illness means that he has never been able to stand up and he is unable to open his fingers. But this has not stopped him from making complicated paper folding art.

    Liao Jialong lives in a residential community in Henggang Subdistrict, Longgang District, and he has now made a name for himself with his skill in the art of paper folding.

    Close to death

    Liao was diagnosed with progressive muscular dystrophy — a disorder that weakens a person’s muscles — at the age of 3, and his younger brother also has this rare disease.

    Liang Ming, Liao’s mother, said that there have been times when she contemplated taking her own life.

    When they were small, she took her two sons to cities like Guangzhou and Beijing to seek medical treatment, and doctors said they would probably barely make it to adulthood.

    Liang decided to quit her job to devote herself to Liao and his younger brother — and they have both survived due to the care they received as children.

    Gift for painting

    In 1999, the disabled federation of Henggang managed to locate Peng Jianwei, a teacher at Henggang Central Primary School, who had over two decades of teaching experience. Peng started visiting Liao’s home four times a week, teaching him Chinese, mathematics, handicraft, painting and computer skills.

    He soon showed a talent for painting.

    “When he was watching Crayon Shin-chan on TV, a popular Japanese cartoon character, he drew the character on a piece of paper. We were surprised and delighted,” said Liang.

    Liao also drew images on potato chip packages. One of Liao’s paintings, titled “Thinking,” was later included in a photography album published by Shenzhen’s disabled federation.

    Fond of paper folding

    Liao became obsessed with Chinese paper folding in 2008.

    “Nobody taught him. A 50-page paper folding book and the Internet were his teachers,” said Liang.

    His parents sometimes lend him a helping hand, and his mother added that, “he always goes out on his wheelchair to see me dancing in the evening. Then we come home together, and watch TV while folding paper.”

    Social workers provide Liao with paper, and he also uses colorful flyers distributed by fast-food restaurants, as well as his father’s red cigarette packages. His art includes an owl wearing a red bow tie, a peacock and swans.

    “My cousins used to take my paper folding art to school, and said they made them themselves,” Liao laughed.

    He made many dragons last year, which was the Year of the Dragon on the Chinese lunar calendar, and he gave them to social workers who have helped him.

    In 1999, local authorities spent 120,000 yuan (US19,000) to build a home for Liao’s family and, in 2003, the subdistrict office gave Liao’s father a job in the urban management office of the subdistrict.

    Liao seems very proud of the fact that the officials have put his work in their homes, adding that he intends to continue improving.

    ‘I will do better’

    “I will do better and make more nice paper folding art,” said Liao.

    He always takes pictures of his new art and uploads them onto the Internet, to share with others.

    Two bookcases in Liao’s sitting room are filled with his art, and his parents hope to publish a selection of the best ones.

   “I will do better and make more nice paper folding art.”

    — Liao Jialong, 26, whose illness means that he has never been able to stand up and he is unable to open his fingers