A 48-year-old farmer from Chongqing municipality who lost his arms in an accident when he was young has made headlines this week after his touching story of perseverance came to the attention of Chinese netizens.




Chen Xingyin is from Tongxin village, Fengdu county, Chongqing municipality. He lost his arms in an electrical accident when he was only 7 years old.




Despite this obstacle, Chen has managed to do his best to fend for himself. He can do most work on his own, including farming, cooking and feeding his family's goats.




Chen is the youngest son from a six-member family. Since 2014, he has taken care of his bed-ridden 88-year-old mother, who began suffering from bronchitis five years ago. He cooks her three meals a day and helps feed her.






Chen also raises more than 20 goats. Every afternoon at 3 p.m., he herds the animals to graze.




Chen's inspiring self-reliance and his filial devotion to his mother has made him a local celebrity with numerous parents in the village setting him as a lofty role model for their own children.
"Even though he doesn't have any arms, he still works faster than most people," said one fellow villager.




Over the years, Chen has learned to use his feet to wash, cut and cook food. Now, nearly no task seems too difficult for him to perform.










Chen's incredible story has naturally won many a netizen's heart.
Web user 朝阳电子 commented, "In some ways, his feet look more useful than my hands. What I respect about him the most is how hard he works to make his own life better instead of relying on help from others."
"I felt like crying when I saw the picture of him feeding his mom," wrote 陌上花开.
"People like him deserve more attention and should serve as our example. I wish him happiness," another netizen echoed.