Former Special Olympics athlete finds own path
Print Edition
XU Chuang, a former Special Olympics athlete and Global Messenger, has a positive message for the world.
“Give us a chance and we will show the world that everybody has something to contribute,” he says.
People meeting Xu for the first time might not think he’s different from other office workers. The phenylketonuria, or PKU, victim has been working for Amway’s public affairs department in Shanghai since 2007. He has been nicknamed “China’s Forrest Gump” due to his sunny disposition and love of sports, especially running and soccer.
“Sports changed my life,” the 28-year-old says.
Suffering from PKU, which is an inability to metabolize phenylalanine that causes brain and nerve damage if untreated, since early childhood, Xu’s intelligence quotient was tested at 68, compared with a minimum of 90 for normal children.
He used to be unwilling to talk to others due to his poor memory and communication skills. However, his passion for sports gave his parents an idea about getting him involved in society so he could develop self-confidence.
In 2003, Xu was selected to play on China’s Special Olympic soccer team. He managed to bring back a silver medal with his teammates at the World Summer Games held in Ireland. One year later, he was trained to become a Special Olympic Global Messenger.
“I loved all the traveling and work. Now I’m an outgoing person who enjoys making new friends and sharing my stories with others,” Xu says.
Working for Amway has helped Xu build even more independence. Xu started by doing simple jobs like delivering company magazines and making copies of files. He has also been involved in Amway’s charity activities, and has recently started his own voluntary workshop by paying regular visits to elderly people in community centers.
“When I first came I realized my colleagues have higher education backgrounds and are better skilled in English,” Xu says. “But it doesn’t matter. I have been learning and it’s all about self-improvement.”
Xu’s colleagues have noticed that the social activities have helped Xu improve his communication skills and handle things alone.
“The company wants to pass on the message that people like Xu have value provided they are given a chance,” says Li Jun, Director of Area Public Affairs, Amway (China). “Respect and care from others will help them find their own positions in society.”
As a long-term partner of the Special Olympics, Amway recently became the sponsor of a Special Olympics inter-school program to help students with intellectual disabilities.
As a former Global Messenger and a representative of Amway, Xu attended the 14th Special Olympics Summer Games in Los Angeles this summer. Apart from exchanging experiences with other messengers, Xu says he fulfilled one dream during his LA trip — visiting Santa Monica Pier and Bubba Gump Shrimp, famous backdrops for a couple of scenes in the movie “Forrest Gump.”
“I watched the movie three times,” Xu says. “I think I am much like Gump as we are both persistent and enjoy running. Sports makes me happy and fulfilled.”
Xu is currently a member of a local amateur soccer club, which organizes two games every week. Running and other sports take up the rest of his leisure time. He wants to find a girlfriend with the idea of getting married and starting a family.
Xu says he just wants to be treated like an adult.
“I want to tell my mother that I’m already a man who can manage my own life,” he says. “There’s no need for her to worry anymore.”
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