Luanjiao Aggie Hu

Palgrave Studies in Disability in Asia and the Pacific provides a comprehensive understanding of how disability is perceived and experienced in Asia and the Pacific, discussing the evolving definition of disability, the impact of cultural and societal barriers, and the role of chronic illness in shaping identity.

In 1999, Mi Zou, a young female student, was admitted to a top university in Beijing, China. A year later, she was in a vehicle accident on a family trip. Mi’s mother died from the accident and Mi herself suffered a severe spinal cord injury. Mi was then informed by the university that she could continue her studies only if she recovered and would be able to walk again. Two years after the accident Mi remained in a wheelchair and had exhausted different options for continuing her studies.