Fathers give their children piggyback rides all of the time, but it’s never anything like this. A Chinese man named Yu Xukang gives his son a ride every morning so that he can go to school. His son, Xiao Qiang, is disabled. His back is hunched and his limbs are twisted, so riding in a special basket that his dad carries on his back is the only way he can get to school.
So, his dad carries him. For 18 miles.
The 40 year-old father and his 12 year-old son are from the Fengyi township in Yibin county in southwest China’s Sichuan province, a rural part of China.
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Even though his body is disabled, Xiao Qiang’s mind is sound, and his father knows that. The only school that would take him is Fengxi Primary School, which is 5 miles away.
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So his dad carries him to school, walks back so he can work to provide for them both, then walks back to the school to pick up his son.
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When the local government discovered just how many miles the father walked (approximately 1,600 so far), they offered to help him rent a room near the school in the future. That way, Xiao could stay at the top of his class.
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Someone please give Yu Xukang a father of the year award. Not many people would be able to go above and beyond like this for their child, even if they wanted to. This level of sacrifice and dedication is awe-inspiring.
So, his dad carries him. For 18 miles.
The 40 year-old father and his 12 year-old son are from the Fengyi township in Yibin county in southwest China’s Sichuan province, a rural part of China.
