Woman bedridden for 32 years becomes famous painter

Painter Zhang Junli, 40 years old, from Taiyuan city, Shanxi province, is now famous throughout China not only for his painting talent but also for his will to live.

At age 6, Zhang noticed that his thumbs and wrists were constantly swollen and painful. After his parents took him to the hospital, doctors concluded that Zhang had rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes pain and damage throughout the body. Doctors warned that if not treated properly, Zhang could become paralyzed.

By the age of eight, Zhang had lost nearly 90 percent of his joint function and had been bedridden ever since. "I could only move my hips, shoulders, and neck a little. I couldn't move the rest of my body," Zhang said.

Whenever relatives asked about her daughter's condition, her mother could only cover her face and cry. "It was so sad to see her like that. I was only paralyzed, I wasn't dead yet," Zhang recalled.

According toNextshark, Zhang started painting as a pastime since she was a child. In 2015, she began learning oil painting under the guidance of a professional teacher and gradually found her passion.

"Painting changed me," Zhang said. "The first time I picked up a brush, it was as if I heard a calling from deep within me. I felt that I lived to paint. The world was so beautiful. Even though my health was very poor, I did not want to give up the opportunity to live."

Because her wrist was almost stiff, Zhang could only hold the brush between her index finger and thumb. She also had to use her shoulders to apply pressure and paint on the canvas. Despite the difficulties, Zhang did not give up. Her passion for painting helped her achieve her dream of becoming an artist. To date, Zhang has painted more than 300 paintings. She opened an online store called Lily's Easel on WeChat and sells her works.

Zhang’s mother shows off one of her daughter’s paintings. Zhang’s story has been widely shared on social media. Many people see her as an inspirational role model.

"I just sold the last one this morning. It's unbelievable. I'm really touched by everyone's support. It feels like a dream," Zhang said happily.

The paralyzed artist said she draws inspiration from books, music, landscapes online, and friends' travel photos. "This way, even though I can't leave the house, I can still see beautiful landscapes, the sky, and the beach. I can also explore the world with my brush and oil paintings," Zhang said.

In addition to painting, Zhang has also written four books, including three novels and an autobiography. She revealed that she wants to encourage and motivate people with similar fates to never give up.

"Instead of crying and worrying all day, explore yourself and find the meaning of life. Live in the present," Zhang advised.