Blind writer in rural China carves her own path with words

Lan Yezhen drinks water while walking in a residential area with her sons in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen, a visually impaired writer from rural Guangxi, has carved a path of resilience through words. Life took a harsh turn when she had to forgo the national college entrance examination after her mother's passing. She then spent years working as a migrant worker. In 2018, progressive eye conditions left her completely blind, plunging the mother of two young children into despair. Amid the darkness, audiobooks became her beacon of solace. Inspired by literary characters who overcame adversity, she began documenting her own life story.

With growing support from her community and beyond, Lan persisted in her writing. Her essays were published in literary journals, which led to her admission into the Guangxi Writers Association in 2024. Through her words, she invites readers into her inner world and reveals the hope that endures despite adversity. "Writing helped me find my own light," Lan said. "Even in darkness, I can carve out a path forward for myself." 

Lan Yezhen (R) helps her younger son with his homework at her home in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 13, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen cleans her home in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen cooks a meal using a voice-assisted Braille electric pressure cooker at her home in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen has lunch with her two sons at her home in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen listens to an audiobook on her phone at her home in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen writes with software for the visually impaired at her home in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen prepares vegetables for a meal at her home in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen listens to an audiobook on her phone at her home in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)

Lan Yezhen (R) and her younger son take a walk together in a residential area in Fengshan County, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Oct. 14, 2025.(Xinhua/Lu Boan)