The wheelchair dancing team, formed this year, is part of Ningxia’s efforts to support people with spinal injuries. Since 2021, the Ningxia Rehabilitation Center for the Disabled has run a recovery program. As of May, 16 training sessions had been held, helping about 420 people. After professional guidance, nine people have returned to school and finished their study, eight people have got married and 72 have won hundreds of medals in some sports events.

Take Liu Wei as an example. After a traffic accident in 2022, the 40-year-old from Yinchuan became a paraplegic (截瘫病人). “I had a job that I like and a family that I love. But everything changed after the accident. I have to rely on others to get up, dress up and have lunch. I often get strange looks from others when I go outdoors,” he said. But in 2023, he joined the recovery program. The 45-day training not only improved his physical condition but also brought back his confidence. “Now, with a mobility aid, I can walk for 5 minutes. And wheelchair dancing provides me a chance to make new friends. I no longer feel lonely. I feel no difference between me and ordinary people, ” he added. When the team performed in 2025, Liu felt a great sense of achievement.

Liao Yurong, the dance teacher, explained that wheelchair dancing combines art and function. It offers a new way for these individuals to express themselves and recover. “When they dance, you see strength and grace (优雅), not the obstruction of the wheelchair,” she said.