(Photo: CGTN)

A Chinese cab driver picks up passengers with an unconventional guest by his side—his father, a senior with Parkinson’s disease.

Li Jinzhu, a 45-year-old cab driver from northeast China’s Shenyang in Liaoning Province, starts his day home and at work side by side with his dad who was diagnosed with the disease five years ago. After his mom passed away, Li took over the task of looking after his dad.

Work starts from 9am to 11pm for Li, but every day runs longer than that since his dad’s condition has worsened over the years. “Lately this year things are getting worse. I can’t let him leave my sight.” Li says about his dad.

Due to progressive loss of muscle control, Li’s dad faces challenges from the stiffening movements of his limbs, trunk and face, which make daily tasks like eating and getting dressed much more difficult. Li says it has made his dad lose confidence, and sometimes lose temper out of frustration, reports BJNews.

“I take him for a stroll whenever I drive the cab. It lets him meet new people and explore new places, and helps brighten up his mood.” Li says.

From first impressions, Li might stand out as more “stylish” than other cab drivers because of his unique haircut, done by himself. He also cuts his dad’s hair to save money. “My father likes to tidy himself up regardless of the disease. With spotless outfits other passengers might find it more tolerable and understandable with him in the back.” Li says.

To care for his dad and work at the same time, Li can’t pick up as many passengers because he needs to make sure that his dad exercises his muscles once in a while. Usually after two customers, Li pulls over and gives his dad massages or walks a few steps with him. During lunch, he feeds his dad in the car as well.

In case his dad has an emergency health issue that needs to be treated at hospital, Li has to stay as close to the town as possible. As a result, he is not able to take customers for long distance rides that take him out of town. As Li often picks up passengers for a shorter ride, he doesn’t earn much revenue at the end of each shift, sometimes only earning 1,700 yuan (about 264 US dollars) per month.

Not all customers get it, Li says. Once a passenger mistook his dad for a carpool customer so only paid half of the cab fare. Even though Li explained, the passenger didn’t believe him.

Nonetheless, most customers are sympathetic and willing to go the extra mile to help out. A female passenger refused to take his change once, telling him “it’s not easy taking care of the elderly”, Li recalls. His fellow workmates also try to direct more passengers to his car first.

For this Father’s Day, Li says his wish is to grow old with his dad, BJNews reports.