The power of human determination is evident in the inspiring journey of Dong Lina, a visually impaired postgraduate student from the Communication University of China (CUC). Her recent graduation speech, shared via a short video on CUC’s WeChat page, has deeply moved Chinese netizens, demonstrating the boundless potential within each individual, regardless of their circumstances.
Born in 1984 in a farming family on the outskirts of Dalian, a city in Northeast China’s Liaoning Province, Dong was diagnosed with congenital amblyopia. By the time she was 10, Dong was completely blind. Despite facing such a significant challenge at a young age, Dong refused to let her condition dictate her life, embracing a mantra that has since guided her journey: “Isn’t precedent meant to be created?”
Initially, Dong worked as a blind massage therapist at a parlor in Dalian. She was determined, however, not to let this be her life’s calling. Spending her evenings teaching herself English and broadening her knowledge, Dong discovered an institution in Beijing offering a broadcasting course for visually impaired students. At 22, she moved to Beijing to begin a new chapter in her life.
In Beijing, Dong not only mastered broadcasting, but also became a broadcasting and hosting trainer at the institution. Her talents led to an invitation as a guest host for a program on China National Radio. However, Dong’s ambition didn’t stop there. In 2019, she decided to prepare for the postgraduate entrance exam, aiming to deepen her knowledge of broadcasting systematically.
Dong was admitted to the CUC Broadcasting and Hosting Arts School to pursue a master’s degree the following year. Here, she combined her life experiences and unique perspectives to research audio descriptive film. She recognized that visually impaired individuals often faced unique challenges when trying to enjoy a movie in the cinema. Audio-descriptive movies have become a crucial avenue for the visually impaired to engage with cultural products.
Dong championed the need for society to pay more attention to the cultural and artistic needs of the visually impaired. Assisted by screen reading software, she immersed herself in vast amounts of literature, organizing theories related to audio description, and offering narration strategies for barrier-free movies.
As she took to the podium for her graduation speech, the audience rose in a standing ovation to honor her resilience and dedication. The applauding crowd symbolized the incredible journey of a woman who, despite her visual impairment, has achieved what many considered impossible.
Dong’s professor, Wang Mingjun, believes her achievement will inspire many more individuals, like her, to pursue higher education and their dreams. Dong Lina’s story serves as a testament to the power of determination and the boundless potential within each individual, regardless of the adversities they face.
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