authorshirley's Channel

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About Dance with Your Heart! A Touch of Humor, Hope, & Healing

Be empowered, inspired, and motivated by the inspirational life story of miracle survivor Shirley Cheng--blind and physically disabled 23-year-old poet, author and contributing author of eight books, two of which she co-authored with highly acclaimed experts like Jack Canfield and Dr. John Gray. Her passion for life shines through every word she speaks. Despite her multiple physical disabilities, she's living the life she loves and she empowers, inspires, and motivates you to do the same!

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shirleycheng.com

Created by

authorshirley

Latest Activity

Aug 15, 2006

Date Joined

Aug 15, 2006

About this user

I was diagnosed with severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at only eleven months old. I contracted this painful disease after receiving a TB skin test. Everyone was stunned that such an unfortunate thing could happen. I spent my early years in constant pain; some days, I couldn't even move a muscle; I was in pain from head to toe. So I was hospitalized for many years between America and China (my mother took me to China for six times). Once in China when I was 4, I was actually able to walk for one year while receiving effective shots combined with massage therapy. For the first time, I could run and dance. But sadly, my walking days ended when the quality of the shots went downhill. Owing to years of hospitalization, I received no education till age eleven when my health was finally stabilized. I started schooling in a special education class in elementary school. Back then, I only knew the alphabets, few simple written English; I knew that 2+2 equals 4 and that 3 times 5 is 15. Other than that, my book knowledge was near non-existent. Because of my thirst for knowledge, I devoured everything that was taught and I mostly self-taught myself how to read. So, in about 180 days of education, I achieved grade level in all areas, and entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. I was a high honor student and received many academic, writing, and art awards, including the student of the year. Unfortunately, I lost my eyesight at the age of seventeen and I had to stop attending school. I received home-tutoring and I was able to complete my chemistry that year. I balanced and wrote long formulas and equations in my head without Braille (I can't use Braille due to my severe arthritis). I completed my assignments and exams using cassette tapes and recorder and still maintained straight As. But I couldn't accumulate enough credits to graduate (but of the 11 credits I earned, my GPA is a 97), so I received a GED diploma. I took the entire GED test, including mathematical calculations, graphs, and an essay, again, without Braille or vision, but received an exceptionally high score. I was a student speaker at my graduation ceremony and received a standing ovation for my speech. The event was captured in a large photo of my mom and me in Poughkeepsie Journal in the June 13, 2003 issue. Since I no longer could express myself in my artwork (I was an artist of the visual arts), I turned to writing to depict the world around me and to share with others my imagined worlds and creatures. I became an author at age twenty, and I authored three books within one year. The next high mountain I need to climb is to get the eye surgery to hopefully restore my eyesight. Then I hope to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University.

Age

Country

United States

Occupation

Author, poet, motivational speaker

Interests

Arts, writing, reading, math, sciences, nature, animals, computers, technology, living life to its fullest, being happy, and sharing smiles