Editor's Note:
December 3 was observed as the 24th International Day of Disabled Persons. People like Steven Hawking, Helen Keller and Ludwig van Beethoven might have been physically challenged, but their self-belief, bravery and intelligence have inspired many. China has about 85 million disabled people.
High-school student Li Wei stepped into the examination hall for a college entrance test on June 7, 2011. He put a pair of new shoes on his knees to take the test. Photo: VCG 
The 4th National Disabled People’s Vocational Skills Competition was held in Nanjing, capital of East China’s Jiangsu Province on June 11, 2011. The participants took part in an embroidery event during the competition. Photo: VCG 
Dancers from China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe perform “To See Spring” in Northeast China’s Dalian on February 25, 2009. Photo: VCG 
The 4th National Disabled People’s Vocational Skills Competition was held in Nanjing, capital of East China’s Jiangsu Province on June 11, 2011. 788 disabled people from around China competed in 30 events. Photo: VCG 
The 5th Anhui Disabled Games were held in Hefei city on October 29, 2010. 315 athletes participated in the competition. Photo: VCG 
A “wheelchair guitar team” has a lesson on the grasslands in Mianyang city, Southwest China’s Sichuan Province on April 25, 2009. As the number of players decreased, it made the teacher Sheng Xue happy because it signified that the former members had abandoned their wheelchairs. Photo: VCG 
20 dancers with hearing difficulties from China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe perform Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province on August 23, 2005. Photo: VCG
