Beijing girl Li Nan was not beaten by the tremendous change of lifestyle after being paralyzed in a car accident five years ago, and she now lives a whole new life with the Sweet Home Neighborhood Program.

"The life without walking legs has not been like in the hell tome. On the contrary, I have received more attention and been taken good care of after becoming a disabled person," Li, with a peaceful smile, told a press conference ahead of the Paralympic Games on Wednesday.

"Sweet Home, the neighborhood organization that supports people with a disability, has helped me a lot in having a positive life, and now I am working under the program and helping other disabled persons," added the Beijing native, who was paralyzed by a traffic accident in January 2003.

Launched by Deng Pufang, Chairman of China Disabled Persons' Federation, the Sweet Home program offers extensive services to help the disabled people in rehabilitation and employment and brings cultural and physical education to needed communities to create an atmosphere of help and assistance.

The disabled people can enjoy a vast array of services such as rehabilitation, education, employment, social security, right protection, life care, cultural and sports activities, care support and accessibility in Sweet Homes.

"I got through the most difficult time short after the accident, learned how to live as a disabled and now enjoy a better social life in 'Sweet Home'," said Li.

Before the September 6-17 Paralympic Games, more than 1,400 Sweet Homes of varied kinds have been established by the Beijing Municipal Government in sub-districts and residential communities to further improve the local work that supports people with disabilities.

A hundred and fifty community centers have been built under the Sweet Home program, totaling 45,814 square meters and spreading over 18 districts and counties in Beijing.

These direct services now benefit 45,000 people with disabilities.

"Sweet Homes is the closest comprehensive service platform established in the local communities," said Zhao Chunluan, Chief Director of Beijing Disabled Persons' Federation.

"In the past, individuals would stay home for extended periods. Today, with Sweet Homes, they can go out and enjoy all of life's blessings," she added.

By 2010, Beijing plans to build a Sweet Home for people with disabilities in every sub-district or township, said Zhao.

(Xinhua News Agency September 3, 2008)