Geoffrey was born in Long Beach Memorial Hospital. He has multiple physical and mental disabilities, which have imposed tremendous amount of challenges to him and us.
When he was born, the doctors predicted that he would not be able to live beyond 7 months. He is now 14 years old. When he was born, the doctors predicted that he could never walk. He has been walking by himself since 3 years old.
Many specialists have vert pessimistic views about Geoffrey’s future. But time after time, he has defied the odds; and has proven to all that he cannot be underestimated.
I started a website to share my experiences with Geoffrey to parents in Taiwan several years ago. In May of 2004, I published a book in Chinese titled “Rainbow, Welcome Home”, which tells our lives and education in America, including how the American society treats and care for the handicap children. The book is very popular in Taiwan. Many parents if challenged by any one of Geoffrey’s disabilities in their child may choose to give up on their child, because they see this as an unsolvable, and hopeless obstacle in their child’s future. I wish to share our experience with the parents and families. I wish to encourage them to bravely face and accept the challenges of their children.In March, 2006, our faith was challenged again. Geoffrey was diagnosed with Germinoma, a cancerous brain tumor. Through nearly half a year of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, Geoffrey passed this fatal challenge one more time.
Geoffrey defeated cancer. When Geoffrey was first diagnosed with cancer, I did not understand why this happen to him. But I believed at that time that there must be a purpose for all Geoffrey’s sufferings; why we are chosen to be his parents to go through life with him. Now, we successfully defeated cancer together. I think I know the answer.
I should once again share our experience with the world. I want to tell the world that the way to success is keep believing and never give up.
It is why years after the establishment of my Chinese website, I decide to set up an English website. I wish to tell the world the story of Geoffrey, a brave little fighter of life. I hope that through our stories, we can encourage more friends to stand up and bravely face the challenges of lives.
I hope that you are willing to share your stories with us, too.
By Sharon Liu
San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
2006-09-14
