When Xu Youliang babbled "mama" for the first time in 10 years, his mother thought it was the most beautiful sound in the world and the best gift for the Chinese Lunar New Year.

Xu, a young teacher in Lanxi, eastern Zhejiang Province, fell off a cliff in December 1993 while attempting to save a student from slipping off the edge.

But Xu's efforts were in vain and they both fell. The student died instantly, and Xu went into a coma. Doctors believed him to have a "very slim chance of recovery."

He was only 24 at the time and had just gotten married.

Xu's bride left him, but his mother, Zhang Genxiang, never gave up hope.

"We'll never give up as long as he's still got breath in him," the rural woman said. Xu's father and brother were just as firm.

The family from the suburbs of Lanxi led a meager life selling vegetables, straw baskets and pancakes.

Each day, family members took turns staying by Xu's sickbed, feeding him rice soup, glucose and eggs - the most nutritious food they could afford - through the nose, stretching his limbs and helping him turn over.

The 10 years saw growing debt, the greying hair of his parents and great changes to Xu Youjun, the younger son of the family who had turned from a carefree 20-year-old to a bachelor nearing his 30s.

When the comatose Xu opened his eyes in 2001 to the surprise of doctors and nurses, the debt-ridden family saw their efforts finally start to pay off.

They then spent more time helping him regain consciousness, sit up and raise his hand, until he was finally able to call his mother in a vague but affectionate tone.

Today, Xu can utter other simple words like "papa," ni-hao (hello)" and "xie-xie (thank you)."

He has learned to smile, shake hands and swallow porridge and soup.

"He's always had faith in the doctors and himself," said Qian Yuefang, a specialist for paralytic patients at a nursing home for senior citizens where Xu is receiving treatment.

"His recovery is incredibly fast, though he still cannot say full sentences."

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