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Shirley Cheng, (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled author and poet of five books by age twenty-three, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthri... (more...)
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Shirley Cheng (b. 1983), a blind and physically disabled poet and the author of five books by age twenty-three, has had severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis since only eleven months old. Owing to years of hospitalization, she received no schooling until age eleven. Having mastered grade level in all areas after only about 180 days of special education in elementary school, she entered a regular sixth grade class in middle school. Unfortunately, Shirley lost her eyesight at the age of seventeen. After a successful eye surgery, she hopes to earn multiple science doctorates from Harvard University.
"Although I'm blind, I can see far and wide; even though I'm disabled, I can climb high mountains," says Shirley. "Let the ropes of hope haul you high!"
Shirley Cheng is the author of Daring Quests of Mystics (ISBN: 1-4116-5664-4), a soothing read to relax the mind, body, and spirit; an empowering 700-page autobiography, The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials and Tribulations (ISBN: 1-4116-1860-2); and Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells (ISBN: 1-4116-1858-0), an anthology of inspirational and fantasy short stories (fairy tales, fables, and myths) and poems for the heart from the heart.
With highly acclaimed experts like Dr. Wayne Dyer, Tony Robbins, and Brian Tracy, Shirley co-authored Wake Up...Live the Life You Love: Finding Your Life's Passion, Second Edition, the latest installment in the bestselling Wake Up...Live the Life You Love series; she is also the co-author of 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2, along with experts Jack Canfield, John Gray, Richard Carlson, et al.
She had been published twice before her writing career. One of her short stories, Mary Miller, the Elusive Lady, received Honorable Mention and was published by the Poughkeepsie Journal in 1997, and a poem, The Colors of the Rainbow, earned merit status and was published in Celebrate! New York Young Poets Speak Out in 1999.
In 2006, Shirley tied for 1st place in the national writing contest for Be the Star You Are! founded by New York Times bestselling author, TV/radio personality Cynthia Brian, garnering her a third appearance on Cynthia's live radio show. Shirley's winning entry, titled The Jewel from Heavenly Father, is dedicated to her beloved mother Juliet Cheng.
Shirley is also an advocate of parental rights in children's medical care, and aide/caregiver monitoring and screening for students with special needs and disabled people. As a parental rights advocate, she wants to help today's loving parents protect and keep custody of their children. "When doctors ask yes or no, parents should have the right to say no," says Shirley, who is the survivor of the 1990 five-month internationally broadcast news of mother Juliet Cheng's custody battle with a doctor. Juliet was on CBS This Morning with Paula Zahn.
Shirley promotes aide advocacy for the disabled because she was mistreated and abused by one-to-one aides when she attended school. "The trouble with the uncaring aides actually lies in the authorities," she says. "If they listened to my complaints and kept a close watch on the aides, I wouldn't have gone through all the suffering."
Shirley is available for interviews, speaking engagements, book signings, and inspirational events. She has been on nearly twenty radio shows, including Be the Star You Are! for three times, The Donna Seebo Show, and Stu Taylor on Business. She was featured in World Journal, the largest Chinese national newspaper in North America, in July of 2004.
Visit Shirley at http://www.shirleycheng.com
Shirley Cheng's Site
- Dance with Your Heart! Humor, Hope, and Healing in Inspirational & Fantasy Books & Poems by Child Prodigy Shirley Cheng, Author, Poet, Speaker, Advocate
- Inspirational and fantasy books and poetry by blind, disabled young author and poet Shirley Cheng, a child prodigy and a miracle survivor. Shirley is also an advocate of parental rights in children's medical care, students with special needs, people with disabilities, and world peace, happiness, and
Inspiration from a Blind Blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byInspirational and Fantasy Books and Poems by Shirley Cheng
The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine: A Young Woman's Autobiography of a 20-Year Tale of Trials & Tribulations
Replete with fifty photographs, The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine unveils the gripping, never before told tale of child prodigy Shirley Cheng--a blind and physically disabled victim and survivor of severe juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) and more so of falsehood in American medical system--and her loving mother, Juliet Cheng. Enter a world of terrors, struggles, dreams, and triumphs in this true life story spanning twenty years as mother and daughter travel the world seeking care and compassion. From Shirley's painful diagnosis of JRA as an infant and the 1990 international news of Juliet's victory over injustice in her custody case, to their acceptance of a harsh and devastating fate, and the elation of Shirley's various academic and personal achievements, this autobiography will leave the reader inspired and thinking twice about life's true values and meanings.
At last, the truth of her life story is told through the eyes of Shirley as she brings you to live through all the hardships and exquisite happiness she has gone through from childhood to a blooming young woman. Experience her inexhaustible fortitude, sheer strength, and tenacious spirit as she reveals her endless shine.
"Shirley Cheng's inspirational book, The Revelation of a Star's Endless Shine, offers hope and motivation to overcome challenges. After reading this stellar expose of the daily sufferings of a young innocent child who was championed by the unconditional love of her mother, you will understand unequivocally that life is not what happens to you, it is how you respond to it. A brilliant treatise to triumphing over turmoil. Buy it and be revitalized," wrote Cynthia Brian, radio/TV personality and NY Times best selling co-author of Chicken Soup for the Gardener's Soul.
"Why is it possible in America, the land of the free, that a parent cannot disagree with a doctor's recommendation for treatment? Shirley Cheng offers a look into her world providing disturbing truths about America's medical and school systems. Shirley's unique way of writing further provides readers with a window to her intelligence, insight, and nature. Her matter-of-fact, original style and ability to prove a point is powerful. A disturbing, and enlightening read. Authentic, honest, and profound. Will change reader's outlook," wrote Christina Francine for Reviewer's Bookwatch on Midwest Book Review.
"Shirley learned the hard way how indifferent some people could be when it came to the suffering of others. That did not deter her from reaching for the stars. Every day, no matter how she felt, she would try to smile. With her there was no such word as "quit." Each time Shirley's mother had to take her to the hospital for some kind of treatment, she would always find a way to bounce back and be ready to go on with her life. Shirley showed great fortitude when it came to pain. Even though she had to fight an uphill battle for twenty years, her attitude was to try to see the good in others and never try to judge anyone in anything said or done," reviewed by Wanda Maynard from Sime~Gen - Reviews. "This book will capture the heart of the reader and move you to tears as you travel down life's road with Shirley Cheng, a young author with a passion for life. Truly a star with endless shine. Well done, Shirley."
"What makes Cheng's story so compelling is not just the debilitating disease of JRA but of the struggles she and her mother, Juliet, encountered with the medical and social service system. These systems demanded a regiment of treatment Juliet didn't believe was appropriate for her daughter. The result was extreme conflict where Juliet was taken to court in the attempt to force the treatment on Shirley.
"This is the story of a mother's dedication and commitment to her child, and it is most of all the story of a strong, brave and determined young woman to live her life to the fullest, even with all its limitations. Cheng dreams big dreams and has the tenacity to make them come true," wrote Andrea Sisco from Armchair Interviews. "This heartwarming story is one you'll want to read."
"It's a story of amazing courage and human strengths, for someone to achieve so much, after having being deprived of so much is an awe-inspiring feat," commented editor, teacher, author Angela Hooper, Spain.
"Cared for by a loving, courageous and spiritually strong mother, Shirley overcomes all her physical challenges including being confined to a wheelchair, loss of vision and constant pain to realize her intellectual and artistic potentials to a great extent," wrote Swamy Swarna for Book Pleasures. "The book is written in a lucid, vivid and flowing style and is easy to read. It may take the reader a few days to read through because of the number of pages. But it is certainly not boring and the author holds the reader's attention all through. The portrayal of the various people who played a crucial role in Shirley's life has been well done and the reader gets a fairly clear idea of the people involved and the events.
The narration is moving at many places and at the same time is also inspiring because of the perseverance of Juliet, Shirley's mother and Shirley herself."
Amazon Price: $36.99 (as of 05/13/2008)
Dance with Your Heart: Tales and Poems That the Heart Tells
The wings spread wide, but freedom they cannot find. Open your heart and never let your imagination be confined.
The tales and poems held between the pages of Dance with Your Heart are filled with inspirations, lessons, and magic. Most of the stories take no more than
a few minutes to read, and yet they allow the reader to discover and visit worlds never before visited. Inch alongside a tiny snail as she goes through
a journey of self-discovery in The Gift of Uniqueness, and learn that cooperation is the key to working successfully, yielding desirable fruits in the
story, The Raging Sun and Rain. The poems range from thought-provoking to inspirational; their language is simple yet lyrical, and they are written with
sincerity, clarity, and that rarest commodity: wisdom.
Be prepared to be touched, taught, and tickled by these stories and poems. Dance with your heart; it takes only a free spirit and an open consciousness.
Feel the full spectrum of emotions emitted by the words within. Be ready to laugh, to weep; and when you close the book for the last time, you will do
so a changed person, so prepare yourself to take flight.
"Cheng's graceful storytelling and poetry not only is a pleasure, but awe-inspiring, as her wisdom and understanding at such a young age is profound. Her
resounding words are of encouragement and of good. She believes happiness begins in the heart and that readers should allow themselves the freedom to dance
with their heart. A luminous read," commented Christina Francine for Reviewer's Bookwatch on Midwest Book Review.
"This collection of short stories and poetry will lift your spirit as you read. Filled with color and colorful imagery, bright and wonderful characters,
you'll find yourself smiling as you read," reviewed by Anne K. Edwards for Mystery Fiction Voice in the Dark. "Talented Shirley Cheng's work is one of
pleasant associative memories that you may want to read more than once. There is a lot more contained in this collection than just once-upon-a-time. Read
and enjoy. I did."
"The book is well printed with an easy-to-read font. It will be a good buy for children and parents who like their children to read some good stories. It
will also be a good addition to libraries and schools," wrote Swamy Swarna for Book Pleasures.
"Excellent choice for the home pleasure library, the home school curriculum as well as the public school classroom," wrote Molly Martin for The Compulsive
Reader.
"DANCE WITH YOUR HEART is a delightful mix of both poetry and prose, which are meant to stir the soul, produce laughter, and even teach us a thing or two
about life. Most of the tales are simple on the outside, but evoke a moral that is cleverly woven to make readers smile after each one. 'The Greedy Cat'
is a distinctive story that reads like a fable, yet contains a message at the end that is both crafty and clever," commented Tara Rogan from Round Table
Reviews. "Each of these anecdotes imitates life and are exceedingly fun to read. The poems are also heartfelt, and many of them echo Cheng's life as well
as the tribulations she has faced to get where she is now. All of these pieces have a positive spin, which is where we really see where Cheng's greatest
strength truly comes from-- her attitude.
"DANCE WITH YOUR HEART is a perfect read for any gender and at any age. Cheng shares her life and her dreams with the world, asking everyone to stop and
smell the roses."
"This book would make a great gift, or a keeper to read over and over again," said Wilma Frana for Word Museum.
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 05/13/2008)
Daring Quests of Mystics
Daring Quests of Mystics follows the adventures of beautiful Princess Sophia. Her elegant and tranquil life is upset on her seventeenth birthday when she receives the omen from her special friend, an oracle by the name of Dawn: "Terror and adventure you shall face on your wedding day." Dawn then bestows two magical gifts upon her: a white dove and a multicolored ring of rhinestones. Her world is turned upside down as she is forced to conquer daring and dangerous quests on her path to becoming a woman.
"...a fun adventurous read for all ages. This is a fascinating book of short stories, each with a moral. I would recommend this book for all ages....the fun, magical story is also teaching while entertaining," wrote Michelle Dunn.
"...a charming collection of short stories that is filled with quaint, old-world imagery and poetic visualization. Author Shirley Cheng has captured the hearts of youngsters who still beg for the fairy tale filled with Princesses, Kings and imminent danger. Learn the lessons of betrayal and forgiveness, deception and honesty, loss and love. Daring Quests of Mystics may remind the reader of Aesop's fables-short tales that touch upon the importance of morals," commented award-winning author Cheryl Kaye Tardif . "...a fantastic fantasy for the young%u2026or the young-at-heart!"
Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 05/13/2008)
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