SHANGHAI: A paralysed, wheelchair-bound woman in central China has touched internet users by using her belly to operate a sewing machine to make a living.
Tang Manxia, who lives in Changsha, Hunan province, has been given the nickname “belly sewing sister” on social media thanks to her way of working, reported by Dami Video.
Tang, 42, was paralysed in a 2018 accident, the nature of which was not revealed. Since then, she has had to rely on the wheelchair to move around.
She was bedridden for two years and was in very low spirits until a friend who helped her move around persuaded her to come out of her “dark period”.
“My friend told me that I should not be stuck in my own world any longer. She told me that while my legs could not work, my brain did,” Tang recalled.
She and her friend opened a quilt factory, with the designing task mainly handled by Tang.
Tang also needs to sew quilts by herself. But she found there was no sewing machine suitable for the disabled on the market.
Then she thought of wrapping an iron ring around her belly that is connected to the pedal of the sewing machine.
“I use the strength of the upper part of my body to drive the machine. My back moves back and forth, just like a toy tumbler,” she was quoted as saying.
“After practising for three months, I can use the sewing machine as smoothly as those who use their feet to pedal the machine,” added Tang.
In addition to the quilt venture, Tang devotes herself to charity work.
Over the past four years, she has mended 4,000 quilts for free for elderly people. She has also donated 700 quilts to vulnerable groups.
“I would like to share my story to encourage others who are disabled or are demoralised due to accidents to be brave ” said Tang.
“When God closes a door for you, he will leave a window open. As long as we find our own way to live, we will live a brilliant life.”
Her story has been met with widespread admiration on mainland social media.
“Hats off to Manxia, an independent and strong woman. You are so inspirational,” said one netizen.
While another said: “She is excellent. By comparison, my troubles in life are not worth mentioning.” - South China Morning Post
