One-legged Chinese teen gains viral fame for basketball skills with homemade crutch

A 13-year-old boy from a mountainous village in China's impoverished Sichuan province, known as Apei, has captured viral attention for his exceptional basketball skills while using a wooden crutch made by his father. The story, first shared in late May, garnered significant social media engagement. Apei lost his right leg at the age of four due to a rockslide. Initially, other children were hesitant to play with him, but he found solace and skill in basketball. His father's handmade crutch allows him to move freely on the court. On June 5, Apei received a custom-made prosthetic leg, donated by the Shenzhen Project Care Foundation, marking a significant step in his journey.