|
To all of us, some things are given, some things are withheld, over which sometimes we have no choice. But one can always choose one's outlook on life, and look more on the positive side, and face life's disappointments with a cheerful and grateful heart.
Tai Lihua in Turkey
March 18th, 2003
The White Dance Shoes: My Inner Words
I was born in Yichang city, in Hubei province in 1976. When I was a small child, I had a sweet voice and when I called to my mother I sang beautifully.
Unfortunately, I lost my hearing at the age of 2 due to an injection of streptomycin when I had a fever. Ever since, I have lived in a silent world. Yet, I was not aware of my condition.
It was not until I was 5 years old, when the children in my kindergarten took turns to play blindfold games to distinguish diferent sounds. It was then I realized I was diferent from the others. I was so sad that I cried.
At the age of 7, I was sent to a deaf-mute school. In a rhythm class, the teacher stomped his foot in order to send out vibrations to us, like elephants do when they pound the ground. Te rhythmic vibrations went through my body from foot to head. Suddenly, Ifelt elated, feeling a happiness I had never experienced before. I lay prone on the foor and used my body to absorb the wonderful sound, I was so excited!
From that time on, I became fascinated with dance - an art form that is inseparable from music. I found that music made visible the means to which to express my inner world.
How I wished I had a pair of white dance shoes. My mother had to quit her job in order to take me around to seek medical advice. My family of four only depended on my father's monthly salary of 50 Yuan. Poor as he was, my observant father satisfed my wish, and so on my birthday he bought me a pair of dance shoes. I held the white dance shoes fearing they might get soiled on the foor, and so I danced on the bed with happy tears fowing in my heart.
|
