残疾女子“绣”出助残璀璨人生路
Disabled Woman “Embroiders” a Bright Path to Assist the Disabled
杜先姣（左）指导学员 Du Xianjiao (left) instructs students
杜先姣的作品 The Work of Du Xianjiao
楚天都市报极目新闻记者 王峻
摄影：楚天都市报极目新闻记者 邹斌
通讯员 杨士启
翻译：胡紫怡 樊坤铭 卫拉 （湖北大学）
Jimu News Reporter: Wang Jun
Photographed by Jimu News Reporter: Zhou Bin
Correspondent: Yang Shiqi
Translators: Hu Ziyi, Fan Kunming, Lisa M.K (Hubei University)
“杜老师，你觉得我绣的这朵兰花怎么样？”“这个喜字走针总感觉差点意思，我还没掌握汉绣的精髓。”“您下次什么时候再来教我们啊？”11月10日，在武汉市黄陂区残疾人汉绣培训班结业仪式上，30余位学员围着坐在轮椅上的杜先姣不舍地问道。看着眼前这批新“弟子”，杜先姣不禁红了眼眶。她或许没有想到，28年前的一场突发疾病让她不得不步入残疾人的生活，也使她成为了帮扶残疾人的领路人。
“Teacher Du, what do you think of the orchid I embroidered?”“I feel like the stitches on the character ‘Xi’ are a bit off; I haven't fully grasped the essence of Han embroidery yet.” “When will you come to teach us again?” On November 10th, at the graduation ceremony of the Han Embroidery Training Class for the Disabled in Huangpi District, Wuhan, over 30 students surrounded Du Xianjiao in her wheelchair, reluctant to part ways. Seeing these new ‘disciples’, Du Xianjiao could not help getting teary-eyed. Perhaps she did not anticipate that an unexpected illness 28 years ago would lead her into a life with disability and make her a guide assisting disabled individuals.
作为汉绣区级非遗代表性传承人，多年来，她凭借精湛的技艺培养了一批又一批残疾学生从事汉绣事业。更为可贵的是，她不仅不收学费，还免费给学生们提供材料和所需的用品。在她的帮助下，300多位残疾人有了一技之长，其中部分优秀学生被各高校请去讲课，还有的学生实现了自主创业。
As a representative inheritor at the district-level of the intangible cultural heritage Han embroidery, over the years, she has, with her exquisite skills, cultivated numerous disabled students in the field of Han embroidery. Even more valuable is that she not only does not charge tuition but also provides materials and necessary supplies for free. With her assistance, over 300 disabled individuals have acquired the skill. Some outstanding students have been invited by various universities to give lectures, while others have ventured into entrepreneurship.
遭遇不幸
Encountering misfortune
她拿起绣花针绣出不屈人生
She picked up the embroidery needle and embroidered an unyielding life
杜先姣家住武汉市江岸区球场街，原本是名环卫工人。1995年，她骑自行车上班途中，突感腿脚没劲，摔倒在地，被医院确诊为“重症肌无力”，医生告诉她，病情会随着时间推移而愈发恶化。
Du Xianjiao lives in Stadium Street, Jiang'an District, Wuhan, and was originally a sanitation worker. In 1995, while biking to work, she suddenly felt weakness in her legs, fell to the ground, and was diagnosed by the hospital with “myasthenia gravis”. The doctor informed her that her condition would worsen over time.
患病后，杜先姣从事环卫工作日感吃力，只好辞职。不甘心在家“躺平”的她先后在服装店卖过衣服，也进入超市做过收银工作，然而随着病情的加重，她挤不上公交车，摔在路上也爬不起来，后来她干脆就闭门待在家中。
After falling ill, Du Xianjiao found it challenging to work in sanitation and had to resign. Unwilling to stay idle at home, she worked in clothing stores and as a cashier in supermarkets. However, as her condition worsened, she was not only unable to board a bus but also get up when she fell on the road. Eventually, she decided to simply stay at home.
“那时候我感到非常绝望，好好的一个人怎么说瘫就瘫了。”杜先姣说，最初的那段时间，自己也曾抱怨过命运不公，冷静下来后，她逐渐走出了阴霾。
“At that time, I felt very helpless. How could a perfectly healthy person become paralyzed all of the sudden?” Du Xianjiao said that during earlier stages, she would also complain about how unfair fate was. After calming down, she gradually emerged from her despair.
躺在家里能干什么？杜先姣想起自己儿时，每到傍晚或农闲时，家人都会围坐一起，看着奶奶、母亲一针一线地绣花。她和村里别的女孩一样，从小就受到熏陶，10岁时便拿起了绣针。
What could she do lying at home? Du Xianjiao recalled her childhood, where every evening or during idle agricultural seasons, her family would gather to watch her grandmother and mother embroider. Like other girls in the village, she picked up the embroidery needle at the age of 10.
把“针线活”捡起来！
Pick up needlework!
杜先姣上手很快，小到一双鞋垫，大到一幅山水绣枕巾，也常被她拿出来展示或送给街坊四邻。
Du Xianjiao quickly became adept at embroidery, creating items from small shoe insoles to large landscape-embroidered pillowcases, often showcasing on display or gifting them to neighbors.
2007年，杜先姣接到武汉市残联通知，邀请她参加由市残联组织的汉绣免费培训班。这场培训不仅让杜先姣学习到了更多的汉绣技法与文化内涵，同时也开阔了眼界，并坚定了她走刺绣之路的信心和决心。
In 2007, Du Xianjiao received a notification from the Wuhan Disabled Persons' Federation, inviting her to attend a free Han embroidery training class organized by the federation. This training not only expanded Du Xianjiao's knowledge on Han embroidery techniques and its cultural connotations but also broadened her horizons, strengthened her confidence and determination to pursue embroidery.
2011年年底，杜先姣在百步亭找到一处租金便宜的门面，开起了绣品店。
At the end of 2011, Du Xianjiao found an affordable storefront in Baibu Pavilion and opened an embroidery shop.
“汉绣的线越细作品才越好看，有时一幅作品要绣上一两个月。”她说。杜先姣的绣品逐渐被人们熟知，每月能卖出不少，不仅可以维持店面经营，还能养活自己。
“The finer the thread in Han embroidery, the more exquisite the work. Sometimes, a piece may take one or two months to complete,” she said. Du Xianjiao's embroidery gradually gained traction, selling enough each month not only to rent the store but also to support herself.
以残帮残
Helping the Disabled
她帮助300多人掌握汉绣技艺
She Assists Over 300 People in Mastering Han Embroidery Techniques
“要让线参差对齐，才能绣得平顺、好看。”坐在绣架前，杜先姣一边介绍，一边神情专注地拈动着绣花针，一枚普通的针线在她的手下似乎有了生命，飞针走线，上下穿梭。
“Uneven lines are what produce smooth and beautiful embroidery” sitting down at the stand, Du introduced Han embroidery while twirling the embroidery needle intently. An ordinary needle and thread seemed to come to life in her hand, piercing through up and down.
2023年11月10日下午，极目新闻记者来到位于武汉市黄陂区李家集街上的黄陂区残疾人就业培训中心。在该区残疾人汉绣培训班最后一堂课上，杜先姣带领30余名学员们在温习5天来所学的课程，施针、运针、引线……
Afternoon, November 10. 2023, the journalist of Jimu news arrived at the training centre for people with disabilities located in Li Jiaji Street, Huang Pi district in Wuhan. In the last lesson of Han embroidery training, she lead more than 30 students as they reviewed the content from the past five days.
每天吃过晚饭后，几乎所有的学员都会回到绣架前，回顾、交流一天所学，有时到了深夜都不舍得离开，而无论多晚，杜先姣都会陪着她们，现场指点。细致入微的传授让学员们感动不已。
After dinner, almost all the students returned to the embroidery stand, reviewing and discussing the day's lessons. Occasionally, they would stay late into the night unwilling to leave. Regardless of the time, Du Xianjiao accompanies them, offering immediate guidance. Her meticulous teaching deeply moves the students.
当记者问她为什么要这么辛苦时，杜先姣表示，同为残疾人，她深知找到一份理想的工作十分不易，“我希望能够帮助她们掌握好汉绣技能，争取多一条就业渠道。”
When asked why she works so hard, Du Xianjiao explains that as a disabled person, she knows firsthand how challenging it is to find an ideal job. “I hope to help them master the skill of Han embroidery, affording them an extra route at finding employment.”
让她感到欣慰的是，虽然本次培训只有5天，但在“结业考”上，杜先姣发现至少有9名学员具备从事“绣娘”的潜质，“再勤加练习，就可以单独接单赚钱了。”
To her satisfaction, although the training lasted only five days, Du Xianjiao found that at least nine students had demonstrated the potential to become skilled embroiderers by their “graduation day”. “With more practice, they can begin taking orders and earn money independently.”
5天的培训班很快结束，当分别的时刻来临，不舍的学员们将她团团围住，“杜老师，我好多针法还没学会呢”“我绣出来的作品还是有些粗糙”“您再教教我们嘛”。
The five-day training was over before they knew it. When the time came to part ways, reluctant students surrounded Du Xianjiao. “Teacher Du, I haven't mastered many stitches yet.” “The work I embroidered is still needs a lot of work.” “Can you teach us more?”
尽管心中满是依依不舍，但想到武汉的汉绣创作室里同样也有残疾学生在等着自己，杜先姣只好留下自己的联系方式，并郑重向她们承诺，“欢迎你们随时到我的工作室里来，我继续义务教你们。”
Although filled with reluctance, knowing that other students with disabled were waiting for her in the Han embroidery studio in Wuhan, Du Xianjiao left her contact information and promised, “You are welcome to come to my studio anytime, and I will willingly teach you.”
武汉市残联相关负责人告诉记者，多年来，通过市、区残联近十期培训班，杜先姣先后帮助了300余名残疾人掌握了汉绣技艺。
Head of the Wuhan Disabled Persons' Federation tells the reporter that over the years, through nearly ten training classes organized by the city and district disabled persons' federations, Du Xianjiao has assisted more than 300 disabled individuals in mastering Han embroidery techniques.
自力更生
Independence
她让更多“绣娘”吃上“手艺饭”
She helps more embroiderers earn money by making Han embroidery
11月14日中午，记者来到武汉市残疾人艺术馆，大门右侧一幢深灰色的两层小楼矗立路旁，这里就是杜先姣的汉绣创作室。此时，她正为几位弟子指导着作品。
Afternoon, November 14, the reporter came to the Wuhan Art Gallery for Persons with Disabilities, at the right of the door, a dark gray two-floor building standing at the road, which is Du’ Han embroidery design room. Meantime, she is guiding the student’s workings.
7年前，得知杜先姣在百步亭的小店因拆迁关闭，后一直未找到新的店址，武汉市残联便主动为她提供了这间汉绣创作室。
Seven years ago, Wuhan Disabled Persons’ Federation volunteered to provide a room for Du after learning that her store in Bai Bu Pavilion was closed due to construction works after which she never found a new store.
“这么多年我一直感恩市残联对我的关怀与帮助。”杜先姣告诉记者，作为一名“手艺人”，她能做的只有尽量多培养更多残疾人“绣娘”，以此作为回报。
“For many years, I have been grateful for the care and help from the Wuhan Disabled Persons' Federation,” Du Xianjiao tells the reporter. As a ‘craftsperson’, the only way she can repay her gratitude is by teaching as many disabled individuals embroidery as possible.
她立下规矩，但凡来学习的残疾人不收学费，同时她还免费给学生们提供材料和所需的用品。
She has laid down rules that state for persons with disabilities who attend her training, they are exempt from tuition fees, and provided materials and necessary tools for free.
这些年来，已有数百人慕名前来向她学习汉绣。其中有十多岁的女孩，也有六七十岁的阿姨。除了尽心尽力地给弟子们传授汉绣技艺，她还要通过不同渠道将她们的作品售卖出去。
Over the years, hundreds of people have come to learn Han embroidery from her. They range from girls in their teens to elderly women in their sixties and seventies. Apart from wholeheartedly teaching her students Han embroidery techniques, she also sells their works through different channels.
袖珍姑娘李爱娟，在认识杜老师之前非常自卑，几乎从不出门，“快30岁了还不会坐公交和地铁，更没有收入来源。”李爱娟告诉记者。后来，经市残联推荐，她成为了杜先姣的弟子，不仅学会了汉绣，人也变得越来越开朗。
Li Aijuan, a petite woman, struggled with feelings of inferiority before meeting Teacher Du and rarely ventured outdoors. She shared with reporters, “At almost 30 years old, I didn't know how to take the bus or subway and had no income.” Recommended by the Municipal Disabled Persons’ Federation, she became Du Xianjiao’s apprentice, not only learning Han embroidery but also becoming increasingly cheerful.
学习汉绣三年，李爱娟已成为了杜先姣最得意的弟子，每次外出讲课都会作为助教参与教学，既锻炼了能力，还能获得课时津贴。
After three years of learning Han embroidery, Li Aijuan has become Du Xianjiao's most accomplished student. Each time she teaches, she serves as an assistant, participating in lessons to not only enhance her skills but also earn an income through teaching.
“我现在每个月至少可以赚到2000多元钱，之前可是想都不敢想的，是杜老师改变了我的人生。”李爱娟感激地说道。“只要是和杜老师一起参与绣制订单的弟子，杜老师都会分一半收入给对方，而她自己则独自承担一笔不菲的材料费及装裱费”，李爱娟说，“如果是其他学员单独完成的作品，杜老师帮助售卖后，都会分文不少地交给学员。”
“I now earn at least 2,000 yuan a month, more than I ever imagined. It was Teacher Du who changed the course of my life,” Li said gratefully. “As long as an apprentice participates in an embroidery order with Teacher Du, she shares half of the earnings, while she herself bears a substantial amount of material and mounting costs.” Li added, “If it is a work completed by other students, Teacher Du gives all the money to the students after selling on their behalf.”
“钱，我可以通过自己的双手加班加点绣出来，但是不能让弟子们吃了亏。”杜先姣说，刺绣是一个辛苦活，一幅看似普通的绣品，或许背后是一位绣娘每天坐在板凳上飞针走线十多个小时、历时半月的辛苦付出。
“I can earn money with my own hands by embroidering and working overtime, but I cannot let my apprentices suffer losses,” Du Xianjiao emphasized. Embroidery is hard work, and behind a seemingly ordinary piece lies the toil of an embroiderer sitting on a bench for over 10 hours a day, laboring for more than half a month.
近年来，在武汉市残联的帮助下，她和弟子们的作品被送到全国各地展出，关注度越来越高,订单也纷至沓来。
In recent years, with the help of the Wuhan Disabled Persons’ Federation, her works and those of her students have been displayed in exhibitions countrywide, garnering even more attention and orders.
杜先姣介绍，目前找她下订单的客户让她应接不暇，其中既有书法、旗袍、动物画像等单件耗时较长的订单，也有一次几百单的结婚伴手礼、小绣件等。
Du explained that currently, much of her time is taken by the many orders she is receiving from clients. Orders range from single items like calligraphy, cheongsam, and animal portraits, which take longer to complete, to bulk orders like wedding gifts and small embroidered pieces.
收到订单后，她会根据“绣娘”的个人特点和意愿进行分配，而收回的每一件绣品她都要亲自把关查验，不合格的绝不发给对方。
Upon receiving orders, she allocates them based on the personal characteristics and preferences of the embroiderers. She personally checks each piece of embroidery she collects back, ensuring that only quality work is delivered to customers.
记者了解到，目前在她这里达到接单要求的残疾人“绣娘”月收入都在2000元以上，部分优秀学员经常被高校请去，为老师和学生传授汉绣技艺。
The reporter learned that at present, disabled embroiderers who meet the requirements of receiving orders earn more than 2,000 yuan a month, while some excellent students are often invited by colleges and universities to teach Han embroidery skills to teachers and students.
杜先姣说，接下来，她打算在汉绣礼品上创新，开发出系列产品并形成品牌，以帮助更多残疾人姐妹自立自强。
Looking ahead, Du Xianjiao plans to innovate in Han embroidery gifts, develop a series of products, establishing a brand that will help more disabled women achieve self-reliance.