From frustration to rebirth: the bumpy life path of dancer Liu Yan
Accidents come suddenly, and lives change in an instant. In the summer of 2008, just as dancer Liu Yan was at the pinnacle of her career and preparing to shine at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, an accident caused her to fall from heaven to the bottom. The blow of high paraplegia can be devastating for anyone, let alone a dancer who eats on his legs. Is this the ruthlessness of fate or a test of heaven? Did Liu Yan collapse all of a slump?
From a talented girl to a rising star in the dance world
Liu Yan has shown extraordinary dancing talent since he was a child, and stands out among many children. Her light dancing posture and smart eyes seem to be born to stand on the stage.
With his extraordinary talent and hard work, Liu Yan was admitted to the Beijing Dance Academy as he wished. In this coveted dance mecca, she was like a fish in water, and soon became a leader in the academy.
In 2004, Liu Yan won the gold medal in the National Dance Competition and became famous for a while. The 20-year-old girl is known as "China's most promising young dancer" and has a bright future. Subsequently, she frequently appeared on important stages, and in 2006, she appeared on the stage of CCTV Spring Festival Gala. That night, the national audience was amazed by this beautiful and graceful dancing girl.
However, fate always likes to play jokes with people. Just when Liu Yan thought she was about to usher in the peak of her life, a sudden accident completely changed the trajectory of her life.
A relentless blow of fate
In 2008, preparations for the Beijing Olympics were in full swing. As one of China's best young dancers, Liu Yan was naturally chosen to perform at the opening ceremony. This is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for her to showcase the charm of Chinese dance in front of the world.
However, during a rehearsal 12 days before the opening ceremony, disaster struck. Liu Yan accidentally fell from a height of more than 3 meters while performing a difficult action and fell into a coma on the spot. After being sent to the hospital, he was diagnosed with high paraplegia and lost control of his legs.
This bad news was like a thunderbolt from the blue, which not only crushed Liu Yan, but also shocked the entire dance world. A promising dancer who said goodbye to the stage forever? Many people feel sorry for her, and more people feel sorry for her.
Faced with such a blow, Liu Yan also fell into despair at first. She once said to those around her, "I'd rather die than live like this." "I am afraid that this kind of pain can only be truly experienced by those who have experienced it.
Regain hope and reinvent yourself
However, life is tenacious. With the encouragement of his family and friends, Liu Yan slowly walked out of the haze. She begins to accept reality and tries to find a new direction in life.
May 12, 2009 was a day to remember. On this day, Liu Yan participated in the rehearsal for the first time in a wheelchair. Although she can no longer dance like she used to, she still maintains her love for dance.
Subsequently, Liu Yan began a new journey in life. In 2010, she was admitted to the Chinese Academy of Arts for a doctorate in dance, becoming the only disabled doctoral student in the academy. This decision came as a surprise to many people, but Liu Yan proved his determination with practical actions.
In 2012, Liu Yan began to try his hand at choreographing dance works. Although she was unable to perform in person, she was able to express her understanding and love for dance through her creations. In 2014, she returned to teach at the Beijing Dance Academy, passing on her experience to the younger generation of dancers. In the same year, she also published a monograph "Dance of the Hands", sharing her own journey.
Hand Dance Innovation: Redefining Dance
Losing control of his legs, Liu Yan did not give up dancing. Instead, she pioneered a new form of dance – the hand dance.
In 2020, Liu Yan created the hand dance work "Hand Protection", performing a shocking dance with both hands. This work not only shows her love for life, but also conveys a positive power to the world.
Some people may question, is a dance without legs still a dance? However, Liu Yan tells us with practical actions that the essence of dance is not what parts are used, but to express inner emotions. Her hand dance can also touch people's hearts and convey beauty.
In 2021, Liu Yan published a monograph "Impression of the Hand", which further elaborated on his understanding and exploration of hand dance. This book is not only a summary of her personal experience, but also an innovation and breakthrough in the art of dance.
Passing on love: helping others to help themselves
After experiencing the ups and downs of life, Liu Yan has a deeper understanding of life. Not only does she work hard to live herself, but she also cares about others. Liu Yan has set up his own charitable foundation, which is dedicated to helping poor and disabled children learn dance.
She once said: "I hope that through my own efforts, more people can see the possibility of life." Even if you have physical disabilities, you can live a wonderful life. "This spirit is contagious to many people and brings hope to many people who are in difficult situations.
Liu Yan's story tells us that there will always be unexpected setbacks in life, but the key is how to face them. She proved with her actions that as long as she has a dream in her heart, she will never be defeated by reality.
So, should we also think about how we can adjust our mindset when faced with major setbacks in life? How to find a new direction in the face of adversity? Liu Yan's experience may give us some inspiration.