Pang Zhihua has been attending class together with her autistic son for seven years. [Sichuan Daily]

Pang Zhihua, a 55-year-old mother in southwest China's Sichuan Province, has been living a unique lifestyle for the past several years – spending each day together with her son Bao Han, who suffers from autism, and accompanying him to lessons.

Pang quit her job as a middle school teacher when her boy was diagnosed with autism at three, so as to give him the best care she could.

Pang once intended to compete for a teacher's position at her son's primary school, only to find no such vacancies available except for those as cleaners. Without any hesitation, she took the cleaning job. "As long as I can keep my son company, any work is acceptable," she said.

After becoming a 3rd grader, Bao could no longer keep up with his classmates, due to his poor learning capacity. Pang hence applied to attend classes by his side, wishing to teach him herself after school.

"When he could not make it right after my first teaching, I would teach him a second time, and a third time…" From primary school to senior high school, Pang has spent a whole seven years as a "desk-mate mother" for her son.

Moreover, the dedicated parent discovered the autistic boy's great gift for music and has worked hard to tap his potential. She sends him for piano and accordion classes, staying along during all the process. Thanks to her sustained efforts, Bao has acquired outstanding piano grades for a 16-year-old and he has been making fast progress in accordion skills as well.

Pang plays with her son. [Sichuan Daily]

(Source: Sichuan Daily/Translated and edited by Women of China)

Editor: Eileen Cheng(Women of China)