"She Is Like My Own Child"... Chinese Mother-in-Law Cares for Daughter-in-Law in a Vegetative State for 17 Years

Brain Damage After Truck Accident Just One Month After Wedding
"My Responsibility Is to Care for My Daughter-in-Law"

A mother-in-law in China has drawn attention for caring for her daughter-in-law, who has been in a vegetative state, for 17 years. After years of rehabilitation, the daughter-in-law has recovered enough to prepare simple meals herself, but her mother-in-law continues to care for her, worried about whether she will be able to manage after she is gone.

Daughter-in-law in China left in vegetative state after 2009 traffic accident

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According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on October 25, Ms. Xu, who lives in Qingyun County, Shandong Province, China, was hit by a truck in her village in 2009. The accident happened just one month after her wedding, leaving her in a vegetative state.

Her mother-in-law, Xuan Fengying, 68, cared for her by her side. Xuan fed her daughter-in-law liquid food one spoonful at a time, and each meal took an hour. To prevent pressure sores, she turned her over more than 10 times a day. She also took on the tasks of washing her daughter-in-law, who could not control her bowel or bladder, and massaging her muscles.

Xuan told her daughter-in-law about news from the family and village and played her favorite songs. She also spoke to her regularly, repeatedly calling her by name. Xuan said, "She married my son, so she is like my own child."

Regained consciousness after several years, but cognitive abilities remain at a four-year-old's level

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With Xuan's devoted care, Ms. Xu emerged from her vegetative state several years ago. However, severe brain damage from the accident left her with the cognitive abilities of a four-year-old. Xuan helped her walk and supported her recovery in daily life by doing rehabilitation exercises with her.

As a result, Ms. Xu can now say a few words and even prepare simple meals herself. A video shows her saying to her mother-in-law, "Mom, I like you."

Xuan feels relieved to see her daughter-in-law gradually recover, but she also worries about what will happen after she is gone. "I just hope my daughter-in-law continues to get better," she said. "Now that she can cook for herself, I feel a little more at ease. She'll have something to eat even after I'm gone." She added, "I told my son to keep taking care of his wife after I'm gone."

Xuan also has health problems. She has had leg pain for years and suffers from high blood pressure. She said that when her daughter-in-law fell to the floor, she was once unable to lift her up by herself and had to ask a neighbor for help. "Of course, I sometimes envy other people who can enjoy a more carefree life," Xuan said. "They can go to the square and dance, but my responsibility is to care for my daughter-in-law."

After the story came to light, Chinese internet users voiced their support. One commenter wrote, "This is truly great maternal love. I salute this mother-in-law," while another said, "I hope she stays healthy and lives a long life."

Stories of people caring for family members over long periods often draw attention in China. Earlier this year, a story about a man who had cared for his wife, who was severely paralyzed from the waist down, for 25 years also received widespread support online.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.