Taipei, June 26 (CNA) Vice President Annette Lu wrote a letter in English Thursday to the Iranian conjoined twins who will undergo surgery to separate them next month in Singapore, in which she encouraged them to follow their dreams and wished them a very bright future.
In her letter, Lu said: "Not many people have the courage to follow their dreams as you did. I am deeply moved by the bravery and optimism you have demonstrated."
The full text of Lu's letter as follows:
Dear Laleh and Ladan:
Recently I read your story from the news and learned that you are about to undertake a split surgery early next month. Not many people have the courage to follow their dreams as you did. I am deeply moved by the bravery and optimism you have demonstrated.
Just like you, I have experienced difficulties and misfortune. When I was little, I always dreamed of becoming a judge one day. With my family's support, I struggled to go to law school and then went to the US to study for master's degree in comparative law. In 1974, at the age of 30, I was discovered to have thyroid carcinoma, a cancerous growth of surface tissues of thyroid. I took an operation and it was a success. I recovered and returned to work shortly. Five years later, in 1979, when I was an activist of women's rights and a deputy director of a magazine that advocated for human rights, the authoritarian government arrested me and sentenced me to 12 years in prison for giving a 20-minute speech at a peaceful rally to commemorate the International Human Rights Day. During the imprisonment the carcinoma reoccurred and made me terribly ill. Under the pressure from various human-rights groups, the government finally allowed me to have an early release for medical treatment overseas. Yet it took me another seven years to return home to run for public office again. In 2000, I was elected Vice President of Taiwan. I became the first woman to be elected as national leader in Taiwan's history.
I share my story with you because I believe nothing can stop you from following your dreams. What you will go through is unprecedented in modern medical history. I sincerely believe, with the help of the doctors and medical technologies, the surgery will be a great success. A new world is out there waiting for you to explore--From the news I also learned that one of you are interested in pursuing career in law and the other in journalism. I hope this letter could express my sincere support of and blessing to both of you. Wish you a very bright future.
Cordially
Lu Hsiu-lien (Annette)