A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter Scale in Tangshan, in the northern province of Hebei on July 28, 1976 left 242, 769 dead, 164, 851 critically injured, flattened homes and caused unfathomable despair. But even out of this dire situation love and hope grew - between paraplegic couples.

Gang massages his wife's legs in their home in Tangshan, North China's Hebei Province in this undate photo. [China Times]

"We have been married for nearly 30 years. It is his taking care of me that helps me to survive, " An Fengling, 48, who was left paralyzed for almost 30 years after the destructive quake told the China Times.

Although An, then 18, survived the devastating quake, she was paralyzed after a beam hit her back and caused severe injuries to her spine. She has continued her life in a wheelchair since then, but now she has to stay in bed due to rheumatism and diabetes, according to the Beijing-based paper.

"My husband has never complained to me since we married each other in 1979. My temper makes me fight with him, but he is never angry with me," A says, while her husband, surnamed Gang, massages her swollen leg.

"Even though she has no feeling in her legs, I still massage them for at least two hours everyday," says Gang.

"There have been lots of difficulties facing us these past years. I workedas a vendor and we would get satisfied if we ate enough and felt full," Gang says.

"Our child is helped breed by police officers from a local police station," Gang told the paper without elaborating on his child's age.

An may be luckier than many of the 3, 817 paralyzed quake victims.Her husband is healthy.

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