Chinese dad sparks controversy after digging grave to help sick daughter cope with death
A father in southwestern China, who once dug a grave for his two-year-old ailing daughter, has transformed it into a flower garden after she made a remarkable recovery. Zhang Xinlei, from Neijiang in Sichuan province, was born with severe thalassaemia, a blood disorder that requires lifelong transfusions and poses risks of developmental delays and heart complications. The illness left the little…
In southwestern China's Sichuan province, a father named Zhang Xinlei sparked controversy after digging a grave for his ailing two-year-old daughter. Born with severe thalassaemia, a blood disorder requiring lifelong transfusions, Xinlei faced significant medical expenses and isolation from other children. Her father, Zhang Liyong, earned minimal wages as a glass factory worker and depleted family savings on her care.
In June 2017, Zhang dug a grave on their land and played with his daughter, referring to it as her "final resting place." The grave aimed to help Xinlei grow accustomed to death's inevitability. Despite mixed public reactions, the story gained national attention, leading to a crowdfunding campaign and government assistance. In August 2017, Xinlei underwent a stem cell transplant, which returned her blood test results to normal and eliminated the need for regular transfusions.
Her parents transformed the grave into a sunflower garden, now affectionately called Xinlei's "magic garden." Recent updates have reignited public interest, with netizens praising the family's resilience and the role of charity and social support.
Written by urgent.news from South China Morning Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
