China influencer with cerebral palsy faces backlash for planning pregnancy: 'What did I do wrong?'

The couple said they had undergone medical check-ups, with doctors confirming their genes posed no risk to having a healthy baby. (Representational image)

A Chinese influencer with cerebral palsy has been receiving severe backlash on social media after sharing that she and her husband, who also has the same condition along with a leg disability and impaired vision, are planning to have a baby. Social media users slammed the announcement and accused her of being “irresponsible”.

Li Man, 24, lives in a village in eastern China. She had developed cerebral palsy due to oxygen deprivation at birth. But while her intellect is normal, she suffers from a severe physical condition that limits her mobility, South China Morning Post (SCMP).

Li had a difficult childhood growing up with her grandparents while her parents were away at work. She managed to be educated in school due to her grandmother's persistent efforts but faced discrimination and ridicule from classmates.

Later, at a vocational school, she trained in left-handed shot put and went on to compete in national-level para-athletic events. She got married last year.

As an influencer, Li has more than two lakh followers on social media where she shares snippets of her daily life.

She triggered online hate earlier this month after posting a series of videos about her pregnancy preparations. SCMP quoted a user as saying: “Will your conditions be passed on to the child? It is irresponsible to risk a child’s future for personal desires.” Another commented: “Even if the child is healthy, can the couple properly care for them? Imagine the psychological pressure the kid might face during parent-teacher meetings or sports events.”

But, Li has hit back at the critics.

“What did I do wrong? I just want a child,” she said, adding that the criticism had taken a toll on her family, insisting that physical disabilities do not prevent living a normal life with a positive mindset.

Li also said that she and her husband had undergone medical check-ups, with doctors confirming their genes posed no risk to having a healthy baby.