Afflicted with arthritis since 9, brother carries her to school for 7 years

A 14-year-old schoolboy called Ding Jianbo in Juye, Shandong province, has helped care for his sick sister for seven years, carrying her to school on his back since he was 7. His actions have moved a local hospital to provide free treatment to his sister, Qilu Evening reported on Friday.

The boy's 16-year-old sister, Ding Jianhua, was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when she was 9. Since then, carrying her to school and massaging her legs have been part of the boy's routine.

"If not for her brother, she could only stay in bed, let alone be able to go to school," said Zhang Xiuchun, the mother of the two.

"I am the legs of my sister," Jianbo said. "I take her wherever she wants."

Before the local hospital offered to provide free treatment, both parents had to work at a wood-processing factory for 14 hours each day to afford her medical costs.

The school where the two study is also trying to help. After the summer break, the brother and sister will both study in the same classroom on the first floor, instead of their planned study room on the second floor.