On Sunday (28th), Guo Weiqi, known for her bright smile and nicknamed “Smiling Angel”, performed as part of the “Inclusive Talent Troupe” in a North American tour at the Overseas Chinese Education Center in Los Angeles. Before the performance, she was interviewed, skillfully operating her mobile phone and adding new friends on messaging apps. Despite wearing prosthetics and losing both hands, she can almost independently take care of daily tasks.
At the age of seven, Guo Weiqi fell into a severe septic shock due to a strange illness, resulting in a 14-day coma followed by a miraculous awakening. Although she survived, the shock led to whole-body oxygen deprivation, necessitating amputation of her limbs. Her brain was also damaged, causing intellectual regression to childhood, paralysis on the right side of her body, and leaving behind epilepsy as a sequelae, wiping out all memories before the age of seven. Guo Weiqi said that maybe it is because she “does not remember” that she can face life with a light heart and embrace a brand new beginning.
Recalling the tedious and dull “rehabilitation” process, Guo Weiqi mischievously displayed expressions of lifelessness and disdain. In order to motivate her daughter to persist, Guo Weiqi’s mother, Cheng Yizhen, encouraged her to incorporate her love for the piano and dancing into some of her training, making music and rhythm part of her rehabilitation. Guo Weiqi jokingly referred to her mother as a “devil coach” for her strict demands, while her father was an “angel” who always supported and accompanied her.
Shortly after the amputation at the age of seven, Cheng Yizhen insisted that Guo Weiqi not rely on a wheelchair but instead learn to walk again. She even set up a “conditional exchange”: if she took a step with her prosthetic limb, she would receive something she adored. As a result, she was rewarded with a long-awaited electronic keyboard. When she pressed the keys for the first time, the sound ignited her life like magic and marked the beginning of her profound connection with music.
Guo Weiqi shared that for her performance in the United States this time, she specifically chose to play “I Do”, a song that won her second place in a disability talent competition and holds significant meaning for her. She explained that the song signifies “unconditional love and commitment”, carrying the power of “spiritual healing”.
Despite having over a decade of performance experience since she was fourteen years old, Guo Weiqi admitted that she still feels nervous performing in the United States, fearing that she may not be perfect and, therefore, holds herself to higher standards.
When asked how she overcomes nervousness, Guo Weiqi mentioned that it mainly relies on extensive practice and the companionship of the piano. Due to her lack of fingertips, her bones directly touch the piano keys when playing, often resulting in bruises, yet she never backs down. She emphasized, “There are no limits in life. No matter what difficulties you encounter, even if you fail, you can stand up again.”
Outside the stage, Guo Weiqi challenges herself with various extreme sports and activities. In 2014, she successfully reached the summit of Yushan; she has also tried paragliding, scuba diving, and held 12 art exhibitions in Taiwan, donating the proceeds to hunger relief. She believes that these experiences have truly allowed her to “conquer mountains and seas” continuously surpassing herself.
Looking back on her journey, Guo Weiqi is most grateful for the help from her mother, father, and medical staff. She stated, “The methods my mom taught me may not necessarily suit me, but I will find my own comfortable and best way to accomplish them.” Through her own story, she hopes to inspire more people, saying, “No matter what you encounter, never limit yourself.” ◇