Today, I met an elderly patient who is losing her vision. I cannot say she's totally blind. But the vision loss is enough to rob her TV programs and her walks. Although the doctors had told her that her eyes will not be cured 5 years ago, she is still very sad by the very fact.
Getting old is a tough chore. Getting old with physical changes and chronic diseases is even a tougher chore. A purely degenerative physiological change like altered eye vision can rob someone of joy, freedom and autonomy. This old lady feels exactly that. She lamented to me the whole consult session that she could no longer walk out of the house as she use to. She is guilty of the high medical fees she incurred to her children. 3 bottles of eyedrops per month that cost nearly 100 dollars is a bite into her heart. She feels useless and wish to die if can.
Silently in the corner of the consult room, her daughter silently listened without rebuking, or arguing. A smile, bittersweet smile on her face, as if saying "It's okie mum, I know you are hurting but we love you just the same. It doesn't matter as long as you are with us."
A loss in physiological vision has caused a loss in a greater vision.
If only she has seen with her heart.
Getting old is a tough chore. Getting old with physical changes and chronic diseases is even a tougher chore. A purely degenerative physiological change like altered eye vision can rob someone of joy, freedom and autonomy. This old lady feels exactly that. She lamented to me the whole consult session that she could no longer walk out of the house as she use to. She is guilty of the high medical fees she incurred to her children. 3 bottles of eyedrops per month that cost nearly 100 dollars is a bite into her heart. She feels useless and wish to die if can.
Silently in the corner of the consult room, her daughter silently listened without rebuking, or arguing. A smile, bittersweet smile on her face, as if saying "It's okie mum, I know you are hurting but we love you just the same. It doesn't matter as long as you are with us."
A loss in physiological vision has caused a loss in a greater vision.
If only she has seen with her heart.
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