It is hard to detect anything unusual about Xia Rongqiang, when he first addresses a roomful of CPPCC delegates.

It is only when the 55-year-old reaches out for the glass of water in front of him, that you realize he is visually impaired. You also understand then the passion he exudes, when he talks about offering more help to those like him.

Turning blind at the age of 21 as a result of a rare eye disease, Xia knows how it feels to be someone who can see.

"At one time, I wished I didn't have this knowledge because it caused me greater pain," he said.

After despairing of his condition for some time, Xia decided he wanted his life back.

He started by first learning English, in 1978. At that time, there were no English textbooks or dictionaries in China catering to the blind. Today, he can not only write, but also speak the language fluently.

He considers the achievement a journey he made from self pity to a newfound, self respect.

Having gotten his own life back, Xia has since worked to improve the lives of the visually impaired.

In 1988, Xia joined hands with the Hadley School for the Blind in the United States and founded its first Chinese branch. Today, it is still the only school in China that provides free correspondence education for the visually impaired who want to learn English.

Xia also founded the country's only English audio library for the blind and invented a portable typing machine to replace the writing board previously used by people with visual handicaps.

When he was elected into Fujian's provincial committee of CPPCC in 2003, he submitted his very first proposal through the Internet. Two months later, he became a delegate of the national CPPCC, and was re-elected this year.

Xia takes the job very seriously. On March 14, ballots will be cast for the election of the chairman, vice-chairman, secretary-general and standing committee members of the National Committee of the CPPCC. Xia suggested the ballot paper be printed with both Chinese characters and in text the blind can understand through touch.

"The organizers said it's too late to make any changes this year. But they promised to change it next year," Xia said.

Currently, delegates with physical disabilities can go to the western wing at the Great Hall of the People where special arrangements are made for them during the elections.

"But I still want to go to the main hall," Xia said.

"I can ask another delegate to help me select the names. And then it will be myself, walking to the podium and casting my vote into the ballot box.

"I'll remember every step."

(China Daily, March 13, 2008)