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Chinese man returns to terminally ill ex, vows unwavering support

Chinese man returns to terminally ill ex, vows unwavering support
6 min read

Chinese man returns to terminally ill ex, vows unwavering support

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Chinese man returns to terminally ill ex, vows to stay even if she cannot speak or walk

Fusheng appears on Cheng’s doorstep seven years after their break-up, declaring his willingness to give up everything to be with her

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A Chinese woman with a hereditary condition that impairs coordination was moved by her former secondary school sweetheart, who returned to her life to care for her. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin
Fran Luin Beijing

A Chinese man has returned to his first love after learning about her rare disease, which has begun to manifest symptoms, touching many online.

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A July video featuring the man, known as Fusheng, making a heartfelt confession of love to Cheng Aixiao, in their hometown in eastern China’s Fujian province, quickly went viral.

Cheng suffers from hereditary ataxia, a disorder that results in muscular dystrophy and leads to uncoordinated movements, as well as difficulties with walking and facial expressions.

Fusheng confessed his love to his ex-girlfriend, Cheng Aixiao, in their hometown in Fujian province, eastern China, and quickly captured widespread attention online. Photo: Douyin
Fusheng confessed his love to his ex-girlfriend, Cheng Aixiao, in their hometown in Fujian province, eastern China, and quickly captured widespread attention online. Photo: Douyin

Her mother was diagnosed with the same condition at the age of 23, shortly after giving birth to her. Cheng witnessed her mother’s struggle with the illness throughout her childhood, which tragically ended when her mother died while she was in secondary school.

Cheng has often worried about inheriting her mother’s illness. After experiencing difficulty standing still following a jump in secondary school, she recognised that the condition might be her inevitable fate.

Upon turning 23, Cheng’s symptoms began to escalate. Now 25, she requires assistance to walk even short distances and frequently loses control of her facial expressions.

At 23, Cheng’s symptoms began to surface; now 25, she requires assistance to walk short distances and often struggles to control her facial expressions. Photo: Douyin
At 23, Cheng’s symptoms began to surface; now 25, she requires assistance to walk short distances and often struggles to control her facial expressions. Photo: Douyin

She stated that most individuals with this disease ultimately become paralysed and lose their ability to communicate, often succumbing to respiratory failure.

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