President-elect Chen Shui-bian (
Chu, a 35-year-old writer, was praised by Chen as a "brave fighter for life" as well as a model for young people. Struck by muscular dystrophy since the age of 10, Chu had to receive Chen from his bed at home in Taipei.
"What Chung-hsiang represents is the power of life. His struggle against the trials of life is a good lesson for the whole country, especially for those worn down by life," Chen said.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
"Chung-hsiang's story tells us that no one has the right to commit suicide. Everyone should cherish his life as much as Chung-hsiang does," he said.
"Chung-hsiang is one of my old friends and I wanted to visit him right after the presidential election. But since I had to take care of the selection of the Cabinet members over the past month, I postponed the visit until now," Chen added.
The two first met when Chu invited Chen to attend his grandmother's funeral ceremony several years ago.
"I was then mayor of Taipei. I did not know Chung-hsiang before I read his letter. In it, he invited me to attend his grandmother's funeral services. I was strongly moved by the letter, so I accepted his invitation without a second thought," Chen said.
"Chung-hsiang said in the letter that if I could attend the funeral services, his wife would be very proud. I was really touched by those words," Chen said recalling the contents of the letter.
For a man who faces the threat of death every day, Chen said, "to be able to breathe and live to the next day represents immense hope."
With encouragement from then mayor Chen, Chu stepped out of the shadows to become a writer and speaker.
"Chung-hsiang made two well received speeches in Malaysia last month. He earned the reputation as a `brave fighter for life.' His story can be best described in terms of the title of his last book, Climb to the peak," Chen said.
Comparing himself to Chung-hsiang, Chen said both of them have faced seemingly insurmountable odds to reach where they are today. Chen was born into an extremely poor family.
To thank Chen for the visit, Chu gave him an autographed copy of his new book. In return, Chen offered Chu these encouraging words: "cherish life and move upwards."
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