Woman in wheelchair releases 28-country travelogue

Liu Yi [Photo/People.com.cn]

A 28-year-old woman confined to a wheelchair for life recently published a book, a 28-country travelogue, which she typed with only one little finger.

Liu Yi, the book's author, is an optimistic young woman from Xi'an, Shaanxi province. Liu thought she had a perfect family and a perfect future. She had already planned to study for a higher diploma in hotel management in the UK after her graduation with a bachelor's degree in Japanese, but the accident she suffered on the eve of her graduation ceremony changed her life.

It paralyzed her from the waist down, confining her to a wheelchair for life, and she can only move one little finger. Though her doctor told her that the she "would never have a quality life in the future," Liu and her parents decided to see the world on their own, because she thought "it may not be so bad."

Liu and her parents set off for Europe in April 2012. They spent the next 90 days touring 28 countries. The trip was both difficult and joyful. In Spain, they were robbed, although their bag was later retrieved with the help of passers-by. But in Brussels, a member of airport staff gave them a free cabin upgrade to business class, so that her parents could take care of her more easily. "She [the airport staff member] hugged me; and I felt very moved," she said.