中華民國總統府

　　呂副總統秀蓮女士獲悉伊朗籍頭部連體姊妹拉蕾（Laleh Bijani）與拉丹（Ladan Bijani）以無比的勇氣，決定冒險於七月在新加坡接受分體手術一事，深為她們的勇敢與樂觀所感動，今天特別致函二人，對她們的毅力及追求實現夢想的決心，表達堅定的支持與祝福。（英文信函如附）
　　副總統在信中特別指出，天下沒有任何事情能阻止一個人追求夢想，拉蕾與拉丹姊妹雖將經歷現代醫學史上前所未有的大事，但她相信，在現代科技及醫師的協助下，這場手術一定會成功，一個嶄新的世界就在眼前等著她們去探索。
　　副總統是日前經由媒體報導得知，現年廿九歲連體姊妹拉蕾與拉丹下月初將進行分體手術，而這項帶有死亡、成為植物人或嚴重殘缺風險的手術，是世界第一起成人連體的頭部分割手術。副總統的致意信將由我國駐新加坡代表處轉致。
　　副總統向這對姊妹指出，沒有多少人能像她們一樣為追求自己的夢想而展現出如此巨大的勇氣，有感於此，副總統在信中並以她個人曾經遭受過的困難與挫折，並經過不懈的努力與奮鬥，終至成為我國史上第一位經由選舉成為國家副元首的女性故事，與二人共勉，並祝福她們有美好光明的未來。

　　英文信函全文如下：

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)