On Sunday, Michelle Li Yuan-feng knew it was possibly one of her last Mother’s Day celebrations with her teenage son, Chen Tsz-kin, who planned to treat her to classic Cantonese charcoal-roasted goose for lunch.
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Tsz-kin said it was his way of thanking his mother for arranging many once-in-a-lifetime experiences for him, from visiting highlands in Kyrgyzstan to paragliding, diving and other adventures as part of a decision made early on that he would live life to the fullest.
He was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy at 1½ years old and was told that sufferers of the incurable illness had an average lifespan of 18.
“In the past, the topic of death did not bother me, but now that it could be imminent, I am starting to be anxious,” said Tsz-kin, who turns 17 in October. “To me, it’s fear of the unknown. I have no idea what will happen after I go.”
Li said death was something the two discussed regularly. She hoped to make a commemorative diamond with the cremated ashes of whoever died first for a necklace pendant, while Tsz-kin wants to donate his body for medical research.
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“While I understand [his decision], I cannot bear the thought of it,” she said. “To me, he’s had to endure so much already in his life, be it physically or emotionally, and death would free him from all these pains. Why should he have to suffer under the knife afterwards.