Wuhan amputee brings movies to life for the visually impaired

A community worker in Central China who had her leg amputated has narrated more than 50 films for over 7,000 visually impaired people in the past seven years.

Du Chengcheng, 21, was born with neurofibromatosis, which causes tumors to grow on nerve tissue throughout the body, and had to have her left leg amputated in 2009.

The experience encouraged her to value her life, and motivated her to give something back to society.

“I am grateful to the doctor, he gave me a second chance at life,” Du said. “When I was laid on the operating table, I swore that I would help other people after the surgery.”

Du has been volunteering in Jiangjiadun community in Wuhan, Hubei province, for more than seven years. In that time, she has interpreted more than 50 films and helped train over 100 volunteer narrators.

“Comedies and romances account for most of the films I’ve interpreted. Action stories are the most difficult,” she said. “I usually write a 10,000-word commentary before I tell the story.”

Huang Suqing, the first person to hear Du’s film narration, said, “I feel that I am watching the film when I listen to Du telling the story.”

Du has started broadcasting live on the internet in the past few months, which has attracted more than 100,000 fans.

Cheng Si contributed to this story.