Liu's life a victory over misfortune

At Eden's urguing, the government also agreed to reconsider the proposed national pension program to make it more favorable for the poor and handicapped.

Pastor Chou Lien-hua (周聯華), who co-founded Eden, said Liu's life itself was a miracle.

Doctors said patients of atrophic arthritis seldom live longer than 65. Liu's health deteriorated in the last decade during which she underwent several surgeries on her lungs and other organs.

"While alive, she had to endure acute pain every day," Chou said. "But she struggled to lead a meaningful life. Now she may rest in eternal peace."

In 1988 during a protest with fellow Eden members in front of the Executive Yuan, Liu threw her wheelchair at the feet of then Premier Yu Kuo-hwa (俞國華) demanding the the government improve street conditions for disabled people.

Her actions helped bring about drastic improvements in wheelchair access across the country.