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Wheels to Wings: Driving Empowers People with Disabilities

极目新闻 2025-04-07 16:10:11

Heroes come from the people:Wheels to Wings: Driving Empowers People with Disabilities Double-amputee Offers Driving Lessons to 1,000 Disabled Students in 12 years 

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他让车辙开出生命之花

无腿教练12年教会近千名残疾人开车

Wheels to Wings: Driving Empowers People with Disabilities

Double-amputee Offers Driving Lessons to 1,000 Disabled Students in 12 years 

极目新闻记者 周萍英 实习生 张乐昕

Jimu News Reporters: Zhou Pingying Zhang Lexin

摄影:极目新闻记者 周萍英

Photographed by Jimu News Reporters: Zhou Pingying

翻译:刘宗仁 徐亦睿 梁司颖 (湖北大学)

Translated by Liu Zongren, Xu Yirui, Liang Siying (Hubei University)

3月22日一早,在湖北省襄阳市鱼梁洲一所驾校训练场,55岁的褚明强用2个木制板凳支撑身体移动,专注指导学员倒车入库。这位失去双腿却考取C5驾照的特殊教练,12年来已帮助全国近千名残疾人实现驾驶梦。有人将他的视频发到网上,网友纷纷点赞:他让车辙开出了生命之花。

On the morning of March 22nd, at a driving school in Yuliangzhou, Xiangyang City, Hubei Province, 55-year-old Chu Mingqiang is propped on the two stools he drags around for mobility, focused on guiding his students through reverse parking. This extraordinary driving coach, who despite losing both legs, is a certified a C5 driver, has dedicated the past 12 years helping nearly 1,000 disabled people nationwide realize their dreams of driving. His story gained traction after someone posted a video of him online, with netizens hailing: "He has turned the wheels into wings."

一场意外改变人生轨迹

Surviving a Life-altering Accident

科目二训练场地上,学员驾驶着车辆练习倒车入库。一旁的褚明强一手撑着一个小板凳,缓慢移动着身体,时而大吼几声:“方向盘向右打死”“退的时候要慢”……

At the training ground for the second phase of the driver's license tests, a student practices reverse parking, maneuvering the vehicle with intense concentration. Beside the car, Chu Mingqiang, props himself up with one hand on a small stool, slowly shifting his body as he shouts out instructions: "Turn the steering wheel fully to the right!" "Back up slowly!"

褚明强是襄阳人。1977年夏天,7岁的他穿越铁轨到汉江边玩耍时,原本静止的火车货厢突然移动,碾碎了他的双脚。虽经全力救治,他终因股骨头坏死被截去双腿。

Chu Mingqiang, a native of Xiangyang, met with tragedy in the summer of 1977 when the seven-year-old was playing near the Han River. As he crossed nearby railway tracks, a sudden shift caused stationary freight cars to move, severing both his feet. Despite exhaustive medical efforts, complications from femoral head necrosis ultimately led to a double amputation.

“从那以后,我离不了人,妈妈和姐姐轮流推着我去上学。”褚明强回忆,直到他上五年级,家里攒钱给他买了一辆手摇车,他才得以突破方寸之间的桎梏。

"Following the accident, I couldn't function independently," Chu Mingqiang recalls. "My mother and sister took turns wheeling me to school." It wasn't until fifth grade, when his family saved enough for a hand-cranked tricycle, that he broke free from the constraints of his limited mobility.

18岁那年,职高毕业的褚明强因为身体缺陷,开始为个人前途感到焦虑和迷茫。“我在报纸上看到省残联开办了一个家电维修培训班,立刻报了名。”褚明强说,3个月后,培训班结束,他又跟着一位老师傅继续磨练技术2年。

At age 18, after graduating from vocational school, Chu Mingqiang grappled with uncertainty about his future burdened by his physical disability. "I spotted a newspaper ad for a home appliance repair course organized by the provincial Disabled Persons' Federation and immediately enrolled," Chu recalled. Three months later, after completing the course, he continued honing his expertise under the guidance of an experienced technician for another two years.

技术练得差不多了,褚明强开了一个家电修理店,一干就是13年。其间,他成了家,有了女儿。

Having acquired the basics, Chu Mingqiang launched an appliance repair shop, which he operated diligently for 13 years. During this period, he started a family and was blessed with a daughter.

褚明强.png褚明强(左)和学员探讨技术问题 Chu Mingqiang (left) discusses technical issues with a trainee

结婚那年,褚明强特意拿出一笔经费,把手摇车换成三轮摩托车。这样,他逢年过节带着妻女走亲戚方便多了。

The year Chu Mingqiang tied the knot, he made a purposeful investment - replacing his manual wheelchair to an adaptive tricycle, an upgrade that significantly enhanced his young family's mobility when visiting relatives during holidays.

美中不足的是,摩托车无遮无挡,骑行时冬冷夏热,遇上下雨更是麻烦。褚明强心疼娘俩跟着他遭罪,第一次萌生了买车的念头。“但即使把车买回来,没有驾照也开不走。”他让妻子去驾校报名学习,妻子却因害怕开车拒绝了。

The one drawback was the motorcycle offered no protection from the elements. Thus, they were subjected to freezing winters and sweltering summers, and rain which exacerbated their discomfort. Chu Mingqiang could not shake the guilt of subjecting his family to such hardships, and it was then that the idea of purchasing a car first crossed his mind. "But even if we bought the car, without a driver's license, I couldn't drive it." He urged his wife enroll in driving school, which she turned down citing her fear of driving.

骑着三轮摩托千里追梦

A Thousand-Mile Dream Pursuit on Three Wheels

2009年,患有小儿麻痹症的李师傅为申请驾照四处奔走的新闻,点燃了褚明强内心的火种:如果我自己会开车就好了。

In 2009, news about Mr. Li, who had polio and struggled to apply for a driver’s license, struck a chord with Chu Mingqiang’s: “If only I could drive.”

褚明强很快跟李师傅取得联系,探听门路。

Chu Mingqiang quickly reached out to Li, eager to seek his guidance.  

当时,国家对残疾人申请驾照,仅限于左下肢残疾人考取小型自动挡载客汽车驾照。这意味着,包括褚明强在内,很多残疾人无法实现驾车梦。为此,他跑遍襄阳有关部门和全市大大小小的驾校,还加了许多残疾人QQ群,认识了全国各地拥有驾驶梦的残友。

At that time, national regulations permitted only individuals with left lower limb impairments to obtain small automatic passenger car licenses. This left many people with disabilities, including Chu Mingqiang, unable to realize their driving aspirations. Determined to incite change, he consulted local authorities and driving schools across Xiangyang, and joined multiple online forums for people with disabilities, where he connected with others across the country in the same boat as he was.  

2009年7月,褚明强开启了一个大胆的行动:他骑上改装的三轮摩托,与侄子一道奔赴北京,辗转找到中国残联,呼吁放宽残疾人驾驶汽车身体条件。当他得知已有不少残友反映过这个问题,相关工作也在推进之中,他满心欢喜。

In July 2009, Chu Mingqiang embarked on a bold journey. He rode a modified three-wheeled motorcycle with his nephew to Beijing, where he reached out to the China Disabled Persons' Federation, advocating for relaxed physical eligibility criteria for disabled drivers. When he learned that many others had already voiced similar concerns and that relevant policies were in the works, he was overjoyed.  

2010年,公安部颁布新规,增加“残疾人专用小型自动挡载客汽车”(C5驾驶证),允许右下肢残疾、双下肢残疾、听力障碍、右手拇指缺失、手指末节残缺等五类人员驾驶汽车,于2010年4月1日起正式施行。

In 2010, the Ministry of Public Security issued new regulations introducing the C5 driver’s license, a permit designated for operating small automatic passenger cars adapted for disabled persons. The new policy, which took effect on April 1, 2010, allowed individuals with disabilities in their right lower limb, both lower limbs, hearing impairments, right thumb amputation, or partial finger loss to obtain a driver’s license.  

新规给了褚明强莫大的信心。然而,直到2012年,襄阳市仍无法受理像他这样的残疾人报考,也没有驾校培训残疾人。褚明强选择前往离家100多公里的荆门学习。之后的几个月里,他多次往返于两座城市之间,终于在2012年12月成功拿到C5驾照。

This new regulation filled Chu Mingqiang with hope. However, until 2012, the city of Xiangyang still did not process applications for disabled drivers like him, nor did any local driving schools offer driving lessons. Determined to get his license, Chu Mingqiang traveled over 100 kilometers to the nearby-by Jingmen City for lessons. Over the next few months, he made multiple trips between the two cities. Finally, in December 2012, he obtained his C5 driver’s license.  

摩挲着这本夹着两片薄薄纸张的证件,褚明强爱不释手。在家人的陪伴下,他买了一辆崭新的小汽车,并在武汉完成车辆改装。

As he ran his fingers over the thin pages of his new license, Chu Mingqiang cherished it deeply. With his family’s support, he purchased a brand-new car and had it modified in Wuhan to meet his needs. 

驾校里开启“板凳人生”

Embarking on “A Life on Stools” at the Driving School

让褚明强意外的是,自己圆了驾驶梦,许多素未谋面的残友比他还高兴。

To his surprise, many disabled individuals—some of whom he had never met—were even more excited than he was about his achievement.

“你拿到了驾驶证,也买了车,干脆你来教我们吧!”这样的声音越来越多。褚明强感同身受,决定试一试。

"You’ve gotten your license and bought a car, and why not teach us too?" There was a growing voice urging Chu to mentor others. Chu Mingqiang, who deeply understood their struggles, decided to give it a try.  

他前往武汉,从专业机构拿到残疾人专用汽车改装代理权。又回到襄阳,寻找训练场地。

He traveled to Wuhan to secure official authorization to modify vehicles for disabled drivers. Upon his return to Xiangyang, he began scouting for a training ground.

位于襄阳市鱼梁洲的一所驾校打开大门,欢迎褚明强和残友们加入。更鼓舞人心的消息传来:襄阳市开通残疾人专用小型自动挡载客汽车驾驶证(C5)的全科目考试,他们不用再跑去外地考试了。

A driving school in Yuliangzhou, Xiangyang welcomed Chu Mingqiang and his cohort of learners with open arms. This momentum of positive news culminated in Xiangyang officially launching full-category C5 license exams for disabled drivers, eliminating the arduous trips out of town to sit for the exams.

2013年10月,褚明强从家电修理工变成了“褚教练”。他用2个木制板凳支撑身体移动,指导首批3名学员进行驾驶技能培训。

In October 2013, Chu Mingqiang took on a new role from an appliance repairman to “Coach Chu.” He repurposed two wooden stools as makeshift mobility aids, and began training his first three students.

满心期待,没想到,实操考试时,3名学员无一通过。

Despite high hopes, much to his surprise, none of the three passed their practical exams. 

这盆冷水让褚明强反思:他这个教练还不够格。下班后,他虚心向驾校的老教练们请教,又重新坐回驾驶位,反复练习验证点位的准确性。学员们的考试通过率,逐渐上升。

The setback became a moment of reckoning: he was not yet qualified as a coach. After work, he humbly sought the advice of veteran instructors and refined his driving skills, and in turn  his teaching methods. Gradually, his students’ pass rates improved.

禇明强2.png

                                                                                  褚明强指导学员 Chu Mingqiang provides hands-on instruction to a trainee


2016年,公安部放开单眼视力障碍人士和上肢残疾人驾驶汽车的条件,褚明强也迎来了人数最多的一批学员。

In 2016, when the Ministry of Public Security expanded driving eligibility to include individuals with monocular vision or upper limb disabilities, Chu Mingqiang welcomed his largest cohort of trainees.

200米外的“梦想驿站”

The “Dream Station” 200 Meters Away

广东、山东、辽宁、内蒙古……全国各地的残疾人纷纷慕名来到襄阳,找褚明强学开车。“每天8个小时左右,我几乎都是在车上度过。”褚明强说,由于外地学员增加,他开始操心他们的吃住问题。

Trainees from Guangdong, Shandong, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, and beyond flocked to Xiangyang to learn from Chu Mingqiang. “I spend nearly eight hours a day in the car,” Chu Mingqiang said. As enrollments from students out-of-town increased, he shouldered the responsibility of arranging their accommodations and meals.

“这些学员都是诚心奔着我来的,我要解决他们的实际困难。”褚明强和妻子商量后,在离家不到200米的地方,租下一套房子作为外地学员宿舍,自家的厨房成了学员们的食堂。

“These students came here with sincere aspirations. It’s my duty to ensure their daily needs are met,” he explained. After discussing with his wife, he rented an apartment less than 200 meters from his home as a dormitory and turned his family kitchen into a communal cafeteria.

教学过程中,学员们的行动力和理解力各不相同,有的学员学到一半,因难以坚持打算放弃。

During training, students varied in level of mobility and comprehension, with some contemplating withdrawal midway due to frustration.

这时,褚明强总以板凳为证:“我都能用这个走进驾驶室,你们也一定行!”有时严厉,常常安慰,他对学员们亦师亦友。

Chu Mingqiang would then hold up his stools as proof: “If I can get into the driver’s seat with these, so can you!” Balancing firmness with encouragement, he became both a mentor and a friend.

22岁的小代是一名脑瘫患者,自成年后便憧憬着买辆小汽车自驾旅行。“褚教练既细心又有耐心,在他的指导下我学得很快。他让我相信,方向盘能带我去任何远方。”小代告诉极目新闻记者,他拿到驾照后的第一件事,就是出去挣钱,早日把车买回来。

Dai, a 22-year-old with cerebral palsy, had long dreamed of road trips. “Coach Chu is meticulous and patient. I picked up things really quick with him and he made me believe the steering wheel can take me anywhere,” Dai told Jimu News. His first goal after getting his license was to earn money and buy a car. 

许多学员说,跟着褚教练,他们不仅学会了驾驶技术,更找到了生活的自信。每年都会有曾经的学员回到驾校,看望他们圆梦路上的“领航员”褚明强。

Many students shared that Coach Chu’s mentorship did more than teach them to drive but also restored their confidence in life. Every year, graduates return to visit their “navigator” who guided them toward their dreams.

2013年以来,12年间,褚明强见证近千名学员驶向新生。

禇明强3.png刚刚拿到驾照的学员开心地与褚明强(前)合影 Newly licensed drivers happily pose with Chu Mingqiang (front)

Spanning over a decade since 2013 Chu Mingqiang has witnessed nearly 1,000 students embark on new journeys.

“坐在车里,他们就能去到任何想去的地方,人生可以有无限种可能。未来,我希望有更多残疾人朋友拿到驾照,驶出精彩的人生路。”褚明强指挥学员开车驶向远方,留下两道车辙,犹如春天里梦想的种子破土而出。

“In a car, they can go anywhere—life holds infinite possibilities. I hope more people with disabilities will obtain licenses and steer towards brighter tomorrows,” Chu Mingqiang said. As he directed his student onward, their tire tracks stretched into the distance, like seeds of hope sprouting through the soil in spring.


责任编辑:王婷 值班主任:谢礼逵 

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