During the summer, Hu Miaokun, a 19-year-old diagnosed with congenital deafness at the age of two, experienced a life-altering moment: he received acceptance letters from seven universities. This achievement symbolizes more than a decade of unwavering determination in a world of silence.

Hu, born in 2005 in a village in Macheng, Central China's Hubei province, has faced various obstacles throughout his life — he lost his father at the age of five and moved in with his grandparents after his mother remarried.

Despite these difficulties, Hu's passion for learning never wavered. With the encouragement and support of his family, he enrolled in a school specifically designed for hearing-impaired children.

"Adapting to life in a group was tough," Hu signed. "I had to get used to the new environment, follow new rules, and learn how to interact with others. But over time, these challenges became easier to manage."

Hu recalls how his teachers used various tailored techniques and tools to support student learning. These included multimedia lessons, hearing aids, speech recognition devices, and other assistive technologies, all designed to make learning more accessible.

After completing middle school, Hu continued his education at a specialized high school in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province. The school offered a broader curriculum, including English.

However, for students with hearing and speech impairments, learning a foreign language can be particularly difficult. While many of his peers had some basic knowledge of the language and were exposed to English through songs, movies, and everyday conversations, Hu had no prior exposure, making the task even more daunting.

"For me, the key to learning English is through reading, writing, and translation," Hu signed.

He created a detailed study plan and adhered to it, learning to prioritize his tasks and manage his time effectively.

Alongside his academic pursuits, Hu has had a passion for painting since childhood. "Painting is a simple and liberating way for me to express myself; it helps me relax," he shared.

Throughout his artistic journey, his aunt, Hu Qiaoxia, has been a steadfast source of support.

When Hu Miaokun was in elementary school, his teacher informed his aunt about his interest in art. Despite concerns about the potential costs, Hu Qiaoxia decided to support her nephew, seeing art as a gateway to new opportunities in his life.

Since then, Hu Qiaoxia has made every effort to provide him with painting materials and access to education. In return, Hu Miaokun has shown deep gratitude, dedicating himself to diligent study and steadily improving his painting skills.

This year, Hu Miaokun took the national college entrance examination, or gaokao.

Due to the specialized nature of the exam for students with hearing impairments, which is custom-designed and organized by qualified universities, Hu had to travel to various regions across the country to complete the tests.

His hard work paid off. Since May, Hu Miaokun has received acceptance letters from all seven universities to which he applied, including Tianjin University of Technology, Beijing Union University, and Changchun University in Jilin province.

Ultimately, Hu Miaokun decided to pursue product design at his dream school, Tianjin University of Technology.

With ambitions of becoming a 3D designer specializing in product modeling, he is now focusing on mastering various modeling software, such as 3ds Max and Adobe Illustrator.

"I'm deeply thankful to my aunt and everyone who has supported me," Hu Miaokun signed. "I will continue to work hard in my studies and, in the future, use my skills to inspire and assist others."

Contact the writers at mengwenjie@i21st.cn