• He can move only one finger and one toe

• He invtented a smart system to manage his farm

A paralysed Chinese young man, who can move only one finger and one toe, managed to develop a complete smart system to control his farm, founding a start-up and becoming a symbol of determination and perseverance in the face of severe challenges.

Li Xia, 36, from Chongqing in southwestern China, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of five, forcing him to leave school in the fifth grade.

Since then, education became his refuge. He was fascinated by physics and computer science, and began learning programming through online forums at the age of 25.

“My first exposure to computers was from a book my younger sister brought home. Every concept in it fascinated me,” Li said, adding that he read it repeatedly and eagerly awaited the start of each school year to see the new books she would bring.

As he grew older, his condition worsened. He lost the ability to walk, then to care for himself, until even eating and breathing became daily challenges. In recent years, he has been able to move only one finger and one toe, relying entirely on a ventilator.

In 2020, Li fell into a coma. Doctors performed a tracheotomy, warning his family that his time was limited.

In early 2021, he discovered the concept of soilless cultivation, inspiring a bold idea: to combine Internet of Things (IoT) technology with modern agriculture and turn his knowledge into practice.

Using only one finger and one toe while on a ventilator, Li operated a virtual keyboard to design a complete smart system for managing his farm.

After his parents divorced in 2017, his mother Wu Dimei took full responsibility for his care. Gradually, she became skilled in executing his instructions, including assembling a remote-controlled driverless vehicle to collect farm produce.

“My mother can now do everything. Even if she doesn’t understand the theory, she knows exactly how to connect the wires and install the equipment,” Li said.

Today, the farm operates efficiently and has begun generating profits. Li plans to experiment with new agricultural techniques, such as growing cherry tomatoes, to diversify the farm’s production.

His story, covered by Chinese state media, has received widespread admiration online and strong support from audiences in China and around the world.