A Decade-and-a-Half of Devotion

Caring for a loved one through extended illness demands extraordinary resilience, but the story of 68-year-old Xuan Fengying stands as an exceptional testament to familial duty and compassion. Living in Qingyun County, Shandong province, Xuan has spent the past 17 years looking after her daughter-in-law, Xu, who suffered severe brain trauma following a truck accident just one month after her wedding.

Despite immense physical challenges and the grueling demands of round-the-clock care, Xuan refused to abandon her daughter-in-law, treating her with the same unwavering devotion she would offer her own biological children.

"Once she became part of our family, she became my own child," Xuan said, reflecting on her steadfast commitment.

The Rigorous Routine of Recovery

The road to recovery was painstakingly slow. In the initial years following the 2009 accident, Xu remained trapped in a vegetative state. Xuan assumed complete responsibility for her daily survival, managing every basic human need with meticulous care.

To ensure her physical well-being, Xuan fed her liquid nutrition one spoonful at a time—a process taking roughly an hour per meal. To prevent painful bedsores, Xuan repositioned her daughter-in-law more than ten times daily, regularly administering muscle massages and maintaining hygiene.

Beyond physical upkeep, Xuan engaged in constant communication, talking to Xu about family updates, village news, and playing her favorite music while repeatedly calling her name.

Signs of Progress

Years of persistent stimulation eventually bore fruit when Xu regained a degree of awareness. Although the severe brain injury left her with cognitive abilities comparable to a four-year-old child, Xuan continued her rehabilitation efforts, teaching her to walk and execute simple motor exercises.

Today, Xu can speak a limited vocabulary and has even learned to independently prepare basic meals. For Xuan, these incremental improvements offer profound relief after nearly two decades of tireless caregiving.

Looking to the future, Xuan expresses a deeply maternal concern. Her primary wish is for continued progress, noting that seeing her daughter-in-law capable of cooking provides comfort that Xu will be able to sustain herself long after Xuan is gone.