People are often told that when they fall, they should stand right back up. But what if a person who's already down, is pelted by rocks and then kicked and punched as well?
That was the childhood experience of Hwang Meillian (黃美廉). But instead of allowing life to get her down, Hwang, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has learned to rise above her physical limitations to become a successful painter and teacher.
Looking at Hwang now, it is easy to overlook the hardships she endured as a child, and one can't help but wonder where she gets her optimism and spirit.
PHOTO: JEAN LIN, TAIPEI TIMES
Before recounting her story, Hwang reminded the Taipei Times not to print her age. "I don't want people to know it," she wrote with a smile.
Hwang mainly communicates by writing and is fluent in both Chinese and English.
Due to a slip of the doctor's hand during her birth, Hwang was born with cerebral palsy -- a permanent physical condition that affects movement.
Unable to control her muscles, Hwang's childhood was spent "like a blob of soft mud on the floor or on the bed," she said.
She could not talk, drooled non-stop, and after seeing her crawl around, a neighbor said, "This child belongs in a circus." Not only that, she was often bullied by other children who threw rocks and punched her.
"My mother was tired and frustrated. She had thought about strangling me and then committing suicide numerous times," Hwang said through writing.
But Hwang understood her mother's frustration. Her parents prayed for her everyday, and by elementary school, Hwang was able to take her first steps.
In second grade, a teacher at school discovered Hwang's talent and encouraged her to continue drawing.
At the age of 14, Hwang's family emigrated to Los Angeles.
"At first, I did not like LA, because some of my classmates at school hit me," Hwang said. "They hit me even though they were disabled, too. I went to a school for the disabled."
But Hwang studied hard, learning English within the first three years and was accepted at East Los Angeles College, majoring in art with a minor in psychology.
"I was very happy during my college life," she said. "I like psychology because I like to probe the depths of the human mind and see how or why people behave."
"I'm an artist, but I use my psychology skills to teach," she added.
Hwang then moved on to graduate school and obtained a doctorate from the California State University in Los Angeles.
Her first art show was held in Los Angeles in 1988, featuring abstract oil paintings.
"I get inspirations from books, poetry and nature," she said. "My paintings are like my children."
Eleven years ago, Hwang left her family in LA to come back to Taiwan.
"I love Taiwan," Hwang said. "The transportation is so much more convenient for me and I like Taiwanese food," adding that she missed American steak.
Hwang said that she decided to come back to pursue her career.
"I wanted to be free and independent. That's why I moved away from my parents," she said.
She now lives with her two cats, who are often the subject of her oil paintings.
Hwang's father was a pastor and always treated her well, she said.
"I have been a Christian since childhood, because that's what I wanted," Hwang said. "If I weren't a Christian, I would be weak and have no strong opinions."
"Religion has made me stronger. I have learned to accept myself. As such, nasty comments cannot hurt me," she said.
Chu Chin-hua (
"People look at her and think she's not smart. On the contrary, she is extremely intelligent," Chu said.
"She nags a bit at times though," Chu added with a smile.
Hwang and Chu often teach art to elementary students together during summer and winter breaks.
Hwang said that through teaching, she could influence children.
"When their art improves, their lives are enriched," she said.
Chu said that Hwang has always been very positive and encouraging to the children, and that every single one of them loved her classes.
"I want to tell every child that if they work hard, they will not necessarily succeed, but if they don't work hard, they will definitely fail," Hwang said.
"As for parents, cherish the time you are with your children," she said.
Liao sui-fen (廖穗芬), Hwang's relative and one of her best friends, said that Hwang is very outgoing and has very supportive parents.
"Being friends with Meillian is wonderful. She leads such a different life, and it has allowed me to look at my own life from a different perspective," she said.
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