Saving Song Pengfei Fund
A Visit to Song Pengfei
Reported by Professor Chris RzoncaGeneral Studies Program
New York University
(June 22, 1999)
On May 24, 1999, a group of fifteen students and faculty from New
York University's General Studies Program visited Song Pengfei and
his Mom and Dad in Beijing.
Inspired by Elizabeth "Libby" Rosenthal's March 10th article
about Pengfei's plight, students, faculty and administration responded
with donations of money, books, cards and letters. Since a trip to
China was already planned as part of a course on Chinese Buddhism,
it seemed appropriate that we deliver these things in person.
It was a great honor to meet Song Pengfei. The students-- many of
whom spoke fluent Mandarin Chinese--were able to talk with him and
his parents at length about how his life had changed as a result of
his accident and subsequent infection with HIV. It was clear that
he missed a "normal" life-- things like spending time with
his friends and going to school. Perhaps having a chance to speak
to young people, although from very different backgrounds, cheered
him up.
He also expressed an interest in hearing from an AIDS survivor he
had heard about, the basketball player Magic Johnson. (We're working
on it!)
Our group was struck by the courage, self-confidence and quiet acceptance
of fate exhibited by this young man.
After his father made an emotional thank you speech, we left knowing
that although Pengfei would return to a life circumscribed by his
misfortune, he would also know that some people in New York were concerned
about him.
We were glad to be able to help, knowing that our donations to the
Phelex Foundation would help him with the drugs that keep him healthy.
Special thanks to Elisabeth Rosenthal, Rebecca Yan and the Phelex
Foundation for making this meeting possible.
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