Hello,
My name is Pei Kang and I am 29 years old. I currently live in New York City.
I have a rare and unique congenital heart disease called Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. My condition basically means I have a two chamber heart instead of four, and a missing pulmonary artery. According to the doctors, I was not supposed to live beyond two weeks old. Surgery was one option doctors presented to my parents, but the chances of surviving were less than one percent. Due to the blessings of Grace, my parents decided against surgery and let me live.
The first half of my life was spent in a stroller. I had trouble walking far because I was always short of breath.
My oxygen didn't flow too well and my blood was never clean.
My one wish when growing up was to be like everyone else, to do things like everyone else.
Teen years, which are already full of self-doubt and angst, were made worse by this affliction. When I was in high school, I was sick about 60% of the time. Picked on, and disliked by everyone, I always thought, "Why can't anyone understand me? Why don't people like me?" Though I felt as much disdain for my tormentors as they felt for me, the thing I didn't realize was no one will like me if I didn't like or understand myself!
My family and I were like everyone else. We ate junk food and didn't watch our diets. In 1988, things changed when my heart became infected for the first time. I had enough hospital visits and wanted something better. After that incident, my family and I realized we needed to take better care of our bodies and ourselves. We became vegetarians and exercised regularly.
I took up meditation. Reflexology, (the practice of stimulating points on the feet, hands, or ears) was also used in an attempt to improve my health. I walked 2-5 miles a day when weather permitted. We even bought a trampoline to exercise. I stopped using my heart disease as an excuse not to move and work out.
My new outlook and energy had a spectacular effect on my health. I was able to do more and go further. From 1989-2004, I had some of the best times of my life. I traveled in the United States many times as a kid, but in 1989 I went to China! In 1993 I went to Europe for the first time (Spain); Italy (first time) in 1999 and then back again to Italy in 2000 (Sicily) and 2003 in France and Amsterdam somewhere in between. I also went to Mexico. These amazing trips ingrained in me fantastic images of ancient places and vibrant cultures that continue to inspire my writing.
I have lived a full, rich life: I was able to take journeys through extraordinary countries, eat terrific foods, experience miraculous ancient histories and live life to the fullest.
I have a unique perspective as I age. I am 'a 30-year old in a body of s 85 year old'. I can barely walk to the corner store and I have to use a scooter to get around. I am not complaining, nor will I ever. I am blessed with a stable and loving family. I pursue my writing, a lifelong dream. I was able to live as a 'normal person'. I enjoyed my life and still enjoy it.
My mind is active and alive and spirit is young and will forever continue and as long as I have them, I can do what I want most: write my books, even as my body slowly shuts down.
Because of this disease, I have learned a few things along the way and I'd like to share them with you:
1) Live life and have fun with it.
2) Take time to enjoy yourself.
3) Don't take life too seriously because it is too short.
I hope you love "Legacy of Fire and Wind: Fires Within" as much as I enjoyed creating these wonderful characters and the mysterious and magical world of Hahn-Hah. This is a book I started writing as a kid, but recently finished in 2003. Technically it's my second book, since I wrote "Justice Seeker's Blade" in 1998-2001. I will place it on my site eventually.
Thanks for taking a look at it!
Grace is always with us, whether we realize it or not.
Yours,
Pei