"I could do what other boys could for the family," he said.
He's father also taught him to keep a strong physique. Together they jogged 1.5 km every morning. It was this practice that laid the foundation for the 26 gold medals he later went on to win in various sports events.
More importantly, he learned to write with his teeth, which became his trade.
"In a real sense, there is no difference between disabled and normal people as long as they have gentle minds and active attitudes toward life," said He, who is now an owner of a bookstore within the ancient city of Lijiang, listed as one of the World Heritage Sites.
In his bookstore, which has become a must-visit place for tourists to Lijiang, He sells his calligraphy to a great number of amazed tourists from across the world.
He said he plans to exhibit his torch along with the artificial arm in his bookstore.
"One day, I might be able to have an intelligent artificial arm that I might control like it is part of my body.
"Then I can hold the torch and feel the torch," He said.
"It sounds like a dream, but who knows? We are going to host the Olympics, aren't we?"
