Tragic story of hope ends in happy reunion

She still had feeling - piercing pain.

The hospital issued a "critically ill" notice to her family, cautioning her relatives that she could die anytime. Qi seized upon the revelation that ultimately would save her: she couldn't die and her other son needed her.

As she lay on the bed, Qi says she spoke from her heart to You You saying: "Mommy has to stop thinking about you, because mommy has to take care of your older brother."

With iron will, Qi fought paralysis through gruelling exercises. At first, she could only wiggle her toes a little. Gradually after a month in intensive care, she regained control of her body.

"I walked out of that hospital," Qi said, pride in her eyes.

Qi spent the following two years in her hometown recuperating. After her husband was released from prison, she moved back to Taiwan so her son could have a two-parent family.

Her husband is working hard to provide for the family. When Zuo Zuo is older, she plans to find a job herself. "I'm a good saleswoman," Qi said.

Qi's story was collected for a book published by a Taiwan charity organization, the Chinese Association for Relief and Ensueing Services. The subject of the book is how Taiwan men, through love, maintain wives on the mainland through all adversity.

Reflecting on her life, Qi feels more gratitude than sadness. "Life can be like a glass of flavor-less water. Or, it can be rich with experience," she said

(Edit: Ruby)