Huang Huaquan, a 44-year-old street cobbler in southern China, has become an online sensation for his fluent English and his dream of delivering a speech at Harvard University, despite having lost both his legs in childhood.
From a village in Heyuan, Guangdong province, Huang had his legs amputated after he was hit by a truck at a rural market when he was just six years old. Following the accident, he had to stop school after completing primary education.
Huang developed a passion for English from a young age, and he was able to teach himself English despite his disability.
But how did Huang learn to speak English by himself? The answer is dedication. He borrowed old textbooks from friends. Huang did not stop at reading textbooks; he taught himself using cassette tapes and radio broadcasts.
He continued to pursue his goal undeterred even though his neighbors mocked him for learning English in his free time. Over the years, his dedication paid off.
Huang published a book and launched video courses on colloquial English based on his own experience of learning the language.
Speaking about his dream of delivering a speech at Harvard University, Huang said, “If I have the chance to give a speech, I will talk about an ordinary person who uses his hands to climb out of the mire and grabs a chink of light in his life.” He added, “If my humble story can bring power to even only one individual, I will still try my best to tell it.”
Huang’s story caught the attention of the Harvard Alumni Association in Beijing. The head of the association, Xu Liang, said he is contacting the university to see if they would allow Huang to make an address. Xu also contacted Huang online and said his team is arranging an event at which Huang can address hundreds of alumni in the capital.
In an interview, Huang said, “There are many things that ordinary people can do very easily, but I have to spend many times more effort to do them. But I believe that I will do it eventually, because I still have my hands.” Adding that “What does not kill me makes me stronger. This is the perfect illustration of my life.”
Huang is also a former gold medalist in a provincial weightlifting competition for disabled athletes. He has spent the last nine years repairing shoes and umbrellas on the street to make a living.
