Boy, 12, has carried disabled friend to school every day for six years so he doesn't miss class
A boy with disabilities in China has been able to attend school without a problem for the last six years thanks to his classmate and best friend, who carried him piggyback to class every single day, and continues to do so.
Come rain or shine, 12-year-old Xu Bingyang carries Zhang Ze to school every single day. What's more? The Good Samaritan also helps him move between classrooms to attend various lectures and fetches his lunch for him during the break, according to a Daily Mail report.
Chinese news outlets Sichuan Online and Xinhua reported the beautiful camaraderie between the two children from Meishan City in South-Western China's Sichuan Province earlier this month.
Speaking to reporters, Xu said it was his pleasure to be his best friend's "walking stick", adding that it wasn't difficult to lift Zhang as he is much taller and stronger than him. "I weigh more than 40 kg (88 pounds) and Zhang Ze only weighs about 25 kg (55 pounds), so it's okay for me to carry him," Xu said.
Meanwhile, Zhang told Sichuan Online he couldn't help but thank Xu for his kindness. "Xu Bingyang is my best friend. Every day, he studies with me, chats with me and plays with me. [I] thank him to look after me like this every day," he said.
The two friends study in the sixth grade at the Hebazi Town Central Primary School in the county of Qingshen. At the tender age of four, Zhang was diagnosed with a rare muscle condition known as myasthenia gravis, or "the ragdoll disease".
The condition, said to be incurable, caused Zhang to lose all control of his voluntary muscles in his legs and rendered him unable to walk on his own. Fortunately, Xu came to his rescue and offered to help him as soon as they met in the first grade. Ever since, Zhang has been able to go to school like other children.
Xu told the Chengdu Economic Channel that he considered it his responsibility to help those less fortunate than him. "I am bigger than him. I thought if I didn't help him, nobody else would," he said.
Xu helps Zhang move to the toilet, which is about 70 meters from the classroom, every time he needs to use the facilities. He gently holds him by the hand or lifts him up from the side as they move together. If there are stairs on the way, Xu carries his best friend on his back.
Xu also helps Zhang with his homework or if he needs to refill his water bottle. In a conversation with Sichuan Online, an unnamed teacher reflected on how hardworking, down-to-earth, and mature Xu was. "For so many years, [Xu] has continued doing good deeds and never complained in front of the teachers and classmates," she told the outlet.
In conclusion, Xu told CEC that his biggest wish when he grows up is to volunteer for society and help those around him in need.