We all agree that staying physically healthy is one of the basic conditions for anyone to lead a happy life. But what about those who through no fault of their own are not physically healthy? Many of us naturally have some kind of sympathy for those who have some form of physical disability. But this sympathy can turn into profound respect when we learn that some disabled individuals have accomplished extraordinary feats that often require an indomitable will and exceptionally hard work. Aren't we filled with deep veneration at the mention of Helen Keller, an American woman who, having lost her sight and hearing, nonetheless attained both literary and academic excellence and dedicated her life to the welfare of the physically disabled? And isn't there a feeling of great reverence aroused in our hearts when we watch the exploits of Stephen W. Hawking, who has become one of the greatest scientists and physicists of our time?

Although the disabled have sometimes encountered more inconveniences and difficulties, they have done equally well in their fields of work. Many of them have even outdone the physically healthy. Keller, Hawking, Ludwig van Beethoven, Thomas Alva Edison, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and numerous other less-known disabled individuals all have exhibited their talents and abilities through courageous deeds and unflinching perseverance.

The recently concluded Beijing Paralympic Games also set the stage for disabled athletes, where they demonstrated their iron will, persistent desire for victory, and joy over participation and competition. By watching them compete, we not only appreciated the way they challenged their "limitations," but also felt inspired and motivated, as with the deeds and accomplishments of so many other disabled people, to forever aim higher and strive for the best.

China has never slackened its pace to safeguard the interests and well-being of its disabled population. More than 50 laws and regulations have been adopted over the past decades to care for and help this particular group of individuals across the nation, covering life subsidies and benefits, education, medical service, employment, volunteerism, as well as political and cultural life. In the run up to the Beijing Paralympics, even more efforts had been made to add or upgrade barrier-free public facilities in the capital. As a result, blind people can walk freely on any one of Beijing's 800 tactile pathways on sidewalks, which now stretch over 1,500 km, and those who are wheelchair bound can make use of barrier-free facilities while shopping, taking subways, using banking and postal services, or visiting scenic spots.

Much more needs to be done for disabled people in China. It is our sincere hope that in the wake of the Beijing Paralympics, more people will pay closer attention to the welfare of these people and more work will be carried out to further improve their lives in every respect possible.