Her Courage

When her strength couldn’t extend to her fingers

As she played the piano

Power wouldn’t reach her legs

As climbed stairs

She just turned 19 majoring in music

With a high hope to be a fine pianist

Forced to seek medical help

As her weakness progressed

Sadly an incurable malady

Of muscles befell her

Weakness was the beginning

Unrelenting pain followed

Then gone was her independence

Wheelchair bound

She couldn’t even scratch her itch

Nor budge a bit to ease her sore back

Useless limbs shackled her freedom

Merciless disease advanced

Her survival depended on other people

Ruthless pain and losing autonomy

Stirred up thoughts of ending her life

Alas she was unable to execute her plan

Imprisoned by her ill fate with no exit

She searched a way to live a life

Transcending her suffering

Corralling strength lost in her muscles

To grow undaunted courage

She defied her adversity and

Turned her torment into blessing of others

Become an advocate for the disabled

She fought for their right and succeeded

In enacting a law in her country

Granting the right for the incapacitated

To make their own decision in forgoing treatment

Which one day she will use

And until then she’ll live life well

By Shih-Fang Wang

From: United States