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Home>Service> Awardees of Fervent Global Love of Lives Award> 17th Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2014> Mei-Fang Chen—Warrior of Life
 [Overcoming Pain to Fulfill My Dream]

To be breathing is the greatest blessing
—Mei-Fang Chen
 
Overcoming Pain to Fulfill My Dream
“To be breathing is the greatest blessing,” Mei-Fang Chen’s father told her. Suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, Chen seemed to be dreaming a dream that would never come true. Standing up on her own feet is itself a great challenge, let alone going to college and getting a decent job, yet the disease is to her own not a defeat. Chen does not allow it to stop her from reaching her goals. Chen’s is a story about a half-glass of water, one of a real warrior.

At the age of six, Chen was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a long-term disease that inflames joints and the tissues around them. Her hands and arms were only half of the size of those of normal people because of the disease and she could not walk properly. Joint replacement surgeries were not unfamiliar to her, in some of which the pain was severe enough to overcome anesthesia. 

The physical sufferings made school difficult for Chen. Her parents had to send her to school and pick her up after school every day and take care of all the seemingly most mundane matters for her to focus on her studies. Chen studied day and night and her efforts paid off. She was accepted to her dream school – the National Chia-Yi Girl’s Senior High School. Unfortunately, her condition had gotten worse during that period of time. She had no choice but to drop out from school, and it was not until 10 years later that she could finally begin working for her bachelor’s degree. Chen was accepted to the master’s program in Chinese literature at National Chung Chen University in 2001. Four years later, she graduated as a master in Chinese literature. Chen worked extra hard because she had to. She was so well determined that she spent endless nights burning the midnight oil, during which she did not even have the time to finish a single glass of water, leaving half of it on her desk for days. In her writing, Chen recalled the image of the glass half full.

What’s wrong with me? What’s wrong with my life? I can’t even finish a glass of water when I’m at home. Think. During the daytime I work and by the time that I get home I’d already be so worn out. I’d wash up and eat a little. An hour later, I’d make it to the class in the Department of Chinese Literature at Chung Chen. In the class, I recharge myself with knowledge as nutrition to my life; my weary mind and soul would be refreshed. After school I’d emerge myself in classical literature or work on my papers till late, till the break of dawn, till I finally remember to tilt up my head only to find out that glass half full, being still, just as three days ago. I remember filling a glass with water, taking a few sips before I left for school. Three days. Three days have passed. It is still there, waiting for me to take another sip, in its complete stillness.
 
Chen might be crippled but she is indeed not disabled. In the same spirit, Chen pursued also her dream of becoming a civil servant. Instead of being served as a needy one, she decided to give back to the society. She passed the civil service exam in 1998 and became an entry-level employee in Dalin, Chiayi. During her tenant, she spared no effort in promoting Dalin as the township of love with the slogan of Dalin, my Darling – where lovebirds hold their dream weddings. She brought love and joy to the workplace, and from there, this love has spread and enlivened the whole town. Her performance at work and amiable personality truly distinguished her from the staff. 

Now the most daring dream of Chen has also been fulfilled. After all the torturing of the surgeries and sufferings in life, she is now able to stand on her own feet, leaving the wheelchair that had been with her for the past 20 years. Her experience fighting with all the struggles in life shall be an inspiration to all who are discouraged by failures and those who do not dare to dream. Chou Ta-Kuan foundation is pleased and honored to present Chen Mei-Fang the Love of Lives Award that she more than well deserves. The foundation will also sponsor the publication of Chen’s autobiography – Three Dreams and a Glass Half Full (半杯水‧三个梦). “No one can bear this pain for you. Be brave,” Chen’s mother once said to her. This book is a record of Chen’s braving her disease, breaking through all the barriers to fulfill all of her dreams. One thousand copies will be given to the Dalin township government for charity sale. The profit will be donated to related foundations to provide disadvantaged students better education opportunities. 

Nevertheless, Chen’s story does not just stop here. If her body allows, she will go on and pursue her PhD degree. This is the spirit we should all look up to.