7th Scholarship Award Ceremony

The Power of Love- 7th Annual Rare Disorder Scholarship Report

This year the 7th Annual Rare Disorder Scholarship Ceremony which took place on November 28 reveals the recipients’ troublesome but persistent pasts. There were 305 recipients, suffering from a range of 70 rare disorders, and 1.9 million NTD worth of scholarship was issued.

The Power of Greatness- Opening a Door to Happiness.

This year the theme of the scholarship ceremony is “The Power of Love” and many award winners have shown how they perfectly demonstrate the power of love in their lives. Just like Yu-Ting and Sho-Fung, both with physical and mental disabilities, support to each other at school; the fine artist award winner Shao-Jieh, though blinded by Retinoblastom disease, believes that “Hard work makes a difference” and has influenced many people with his love for life. These students broke the barriers and limitations placed on their bodies and minds, overcame disabilities, and let us know that even though disease won’t stop them from learning.

In order to express support to these brave fighters, government officers of Bureau of Health Promotion and Ministry of Interior Affair, renowned producer of MUCH TV, Chun-Lin, Liu, “Taiwan Spirit” TV show host Hsin-Ni Hsieh, Taiwanese celebrity James Wen all attended this ceremony. The sponsors of this event, Charlene Chiang, president of NU Skin Taiwan branch, said “The most heartwarming thing about the recipients this year is that despite their disabilities, they remain confident and optimistic.

These children seize the opportunity to learn and even receive higher grades than healthy people, portraying their adamant determination! We must give them our biggest applause, and the same time help them with ‘The Power of Love’.” The award winners all received memorable presents as an encouragement for them to maintain their amendable attitudes toward learning.

Determination- In Creation of a Life Full of Wonders

What’s even more special than previous ceremonies is that this year many patients prepared some performances at the ceremony, including piano performance, flute performance, and a piece of Chinese stand-up comedy. The “Never Run Away Fathers’ Club” and “TFRD Mother’s Choir” also put on a spectacular singing and dancing show, presenting several well-known songs.

The scholarships are designed to bring students with rare diseases more strength, and more hope as they strived forward. We also hoped by involving more people in activities like this, to help these students find their self-confidence, and increase their motivation on learning. TFRD will continue to issue scholarships and we hope to see you again next year!