Dad draws mixed reactions for digging grave to prepare sick daughter for death
An old story about a dad in China who dug a grave with his sick daughter has resurfaced after photos of them began circulating online earlier this month.
The story first became known in 2017, when photos of the father and his then-two-year-old child in the grave went viral, drawing in some criticism.
In a twist of fate, the widespread attention made way for the girl to receive life-saving care, eventually leading to her recovery.
Father and daughter played together in grave
The girl, Xinlei, had been diagnosed with thalassaemia, an inherited disease that causes haemoglobin to not function properly.
The family discovered the disorder when the girl turned two months old.
Despite generous donations from other villagers, treatment was a significant financial hurdle for the family.
In the span of two years, they paid around 140,000 Chinese yuan (RMB) (S$26,600).
The sum seemed impossible for the then-24-year-old father, who earned just RMB2,500 (S$475) per month as a worker at a glass factory.
Fearing that he could no longer afford treatments for his ailing daughter, Zhang Liyong instead did something that raised eyebrows online.
In June 2017, he dug a grave for his daughter where the pair would play together.
Source: Sohu
If he could no longer get her the life-saving treatment she needed, then he could at least prepare her for death so she would be less afraid, he thought.
Villagers took photos of them and shared these online, drawing mixed reactions.
Viral photos bring in donations
While some sympathised with the young family’s plight, others said it was a bad omen.
Some said Mr Zhang was violating cultural taboos or exploiting his own daughter’s condition for attention.
One commenter even expressed that laying their child in a grave was a “parent’s worst nightmare”.
Nationwide attention resulted in money pouring in to help with the young girl’s treatment.
In Aug 2017, the family also welcomed a second child who became key to Xinlei’s recovery.
Source: Sohu
The newborn’s umbilical cord blood was saved and used in an eight-hour stem cell transplant procedure.
Girl is now healthy and excelling academically
The treatment proved effective, with Xinlei no longer requiring intensive medical intervention, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.
Nearly a decade on, the girl’s life once again became the centre of attention online.
She is reportedly a cheerful girl who is performing spectacularly in primary school.
The once grim grave has also been turned into a flower garden which the family believes will bring them good luck.
Source: Sina
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Featured image adapted from Sohu and Sina.
