Xiao Dong/ Shanghai Daily news

For 17-year-old Shanghai girl Qiao Meili, the Special Olympics is more than just a sports competition - it is an opportunity to realize her own value after a childhood that left her feeling worthless, Shanghai Daily reported. 

The gymnast and Special Olympic Athlete Leader was starved of oxygen at birth and was left with permanent brain damage.

However, her condition was not diagnosed until she went to school and was unable to keep up with her studies.

"My classmates sneered at me, calling me an idiot," Qiao said at a Special Olympics forum in New York on Friday. "I wasn't allowed to join in with the class activities. The teacher no longer cared whether I did well or poorly with my studies."

Her parents finally took her for an intelligence test, which showed Qiao needed education in a special school.

Qiao said her life changed after she was transferred to Pudong New Area's Special Needs Education School in 2000.

She said she was scared when she first arrived at the class and sad that she would have to study with mentally handicapped students.

"However, gradually, I found that there were no prejudice and sneers in the new school and the teachers were more helpful and patient. Everything there is simply pure and lovely," Qiao said.

Qiao said there were many students at the school who needed more help and love than she did, and as she helped them she found her confidence - and laughter - returning.

Qiao also started gymnastics at the school and has since taken part in promotional activities for the Special Olympics and was elected a global Special Olympics Leader last year.

Qiao's life is still not "perfect" since her family lives on a low income.

Her father's leg was amputated a few years ago after an accident and her mother has found it difficult to find a stable job.

However, Qiao said she was happier than ever despite her difficulties and was pleased her parents could feel proud of her.

"Now I smile to face the eyes of others," she said. "If life is unfortunate for us in the first place, we can't make it turn worse. We will take our responsibility and strive to be valuable to society and live a happy life for ourselves."