In 2020, a devastating car accident changed the course of Weng Xinyi's life forever. The 30-year-old survived a horrific crash after a friend lost control of a Porsche sports car. The aftermath was brutal: to save her life, doctors were forced to amputate her left arm and left leg.
A Harrowing Journey of Survival and Abandonment
Weng's fight for life was just beginning. She endured three heart attacks during a marathon of 14 surgical operations. Learning to adapt to her new prosthetic limbs presented an immense physical challenge. However, the emotional pain that followed proved even more difficult to bear. In a cruel twist, her boyfriend left her, and the friend involved in the crash, who emerged physically unscathed, stopped contributing to her mounting medical bills.
Instead of succumbing to despair, Weng chose resilience. She documented her arduous journey of relearning basic life skills—cooking, cleaning, and moving with one arm and a prosthetic leg—on social media. Her authentic and determined videos on Douyin (China's version of TikTok) resonated with millions, earning her widespread admiration for her bravery.
Building a Purpose-Driven Business
Weng's vision extended beyond her own survival. In 2025, she channeled her experience into a powerful mission: creating meaningful employment for others with disabilities. She launched a premium shoe-cleaning business in her hometown, designed from the ground up to be inclusive.
Her innovative model directly challenges the employment barriers faced by disabled people in China, where employers often focus on limitations rather than capabilities. Weng established multiple, accessible cleaning stations where customers can drop off their footwear. These workstations are specially designed to be operated safely and efficiently by people using wheelchairs, those with one arm, or individuals with other physical challenges.
A Revolutionary Model: Matching Ability to Task
The core of Weng's business success lies in her revolutionary employee selection and task-matching process. She dedicates time to speak with each staff member to understand their unique abilities, preferences, and work capacity.
Her approach is talent-centric, not disability-focused:
- Individuals with one arm are assigned to detailed polishing and packaging tasks, where they often demonstrate exceptional skill and focus.
- A person using a wheelchair might excel at order organization, front-desk management, and customer service.
- Someone with strong upper body strength but limited leg function is perfectly suited for intensive scrubbing and handling heavier items.
This method ensures every employee works to their highest potential, fostering immense pride and dignity. For many of her workers, this was their first real job opportunity after repeated rejections from the traditional job market.
Weng provides comprehensive training, step-by-step cleaning instructions, and maintains an open, supportive work environment where employees can request adjustments as needed. The business is not just a source of income; it's a transformative community that builds confidence, professional skills, and personal growth.
Weng Xinyi's story is a powerful message of hope. She has moved past personal tragedy to build a venture that proves inclusion is a strategic advantage. Her business demonstrates that people with disabilities are valuable, skilled contributors when given the right opportunity, changing societal perceptions one job at a time.
