‘The past is over’ – Niu Yu runs Wenchuan Marathon decade after losing leg in Sichuan earthquake school collapse aged 11
Niu Yu had her leg amputated after it was crushed in the 2008 earthquake, but she now faces the future with fearless enthusiasm and encourages others to do the same
When Niu Yu had her leg amputated at the age of 11 after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake caused her school to collapse, her mind was already thinking ahead to what she could do, rather than what she couldn’t.
“The body needs exercise or the leg muscle will shrink,” said Yu. “But also, I hoped that I could be more brave and strong.”
It was on the anniversary of the disaster that Niu took on the Wenchuan half marathon.
“I believe the disaster of the past is over, I am even more than it now,” she said. “What we should do is face the future with enthusiasm and face difficulties without fear and face every challenge.”
