Blind graduate shares her vision of music

As the first blind person to receive a master's degree in vocal music, Zhang Chen moved many people recently with her story.

"Although I cannot see the world, music has always been a beam of light in my heart," she said.

At the commencement of Anqing Normal University in Anqing, Anhui province, on June 16, she delivered a speech on behalf of the graduates.

Born with congenital amblyopia, Zhang had never seen the world clearly. To help her study, her parents sent her to the Anqing Special Education School.

In 1999, when Zhang was 13, she lost all sight due to retinal detachment. The tragedy brought much misery, and her parents tried to help her with music, according to a report by Anqing Television.

She became fond of music, and especially piano, even though practicing the instrument was extremely hard for her.

Her love of music brought her to the piano department of Changchun University's special education school in Jilin province, in 2002 for undergraduate study.

In 2013, Zhang adopted a guide dog, whose name was Fighter, from China Guide Dog Training Centre in Dalian, Liaoning province.

She said Fighter brought help and happiness but also love and marriage. She married the dog trainer in 2016.

In 2020, Zhang entered Anqing Normal University for graduate studies in vocal music.

At the recent commencement, she said she would return to the Anqing Special Education School to help more people with disabilities.

"As long as the beams of light do not distinguish, it may help someone to get out of darkness," Zhang said.