I have been doing my attachment at a hospital in Singapore where I was doing counselling work with patients with emotional and behavioral problem. It was definitely an eye opener after talking to some of these patients. Some of these cases challenged my values and perspective of the world, and others, just broke my heart listening to their stories. My position as a counsellor seems quite hazy at times… sometimes I’m a psychologist, a pastor, a helper, and at times, a friend, to these patients. I never expected to have the chance to counsel patients from such a wide variety of problems. I’ve gotten patients that have problems talking, abused patients, patients that are paralyzed, patients that lost limbs, patients that are depressed, and even patients that seem “alright” to the rest of the world. I guess, in the end, they are more than patients to me. They are people. They are just like you and me.
We often cannot control our surroundings and circumstances, but all we can do is fight for tomorrow. This has definitely been shown me that there are many unfortunate people in this world, and they try so hard to fight just to survive tomorrow. It saddens me that there are other people out there in better circumstances that are just throwing their lives away. I get very existential when I think about this topic because it makes me question the sanctity of life and the meaning of death and loss.
Someone quite close to me was diagnosed with cancer, the advanced kind that has no cure. Doctors gave her a few months to live, but she has survived 2 years since the diagnosis. She is a very young, but very strong lady that continues to fight for tomorrow.
I’ve seen patients at the hospital that has a full head of white hair, wrinkled skin, barely any teeth left – they are above 70/ 80 years old. Yet they continue to go through medication and therapy to fight for tomorrow.
It doesn’t matter how old you are, what circumstances you are in, what background you came from…… I guess we are all trying to fight for our future. We should never give up.
Gambatte minna san!
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by deadpris, Nuffnang SG. Nuffnang SG said: [Daily Blog Reads] Last Day at My Attachment after thoughts http://ow.ly/17uLTa [...]
Pingback by Tweets that mention Last Day at My Attachment – after thoughts | deadpris -- Topsy.com — May 26, 2010 @ 2:34 am
Yea..there is light at the end of the tunnel. We should not give up on hope.
Comment by lj — May 26, 2010 @ 9:57 am
Pris,
How long until we call you Dr. Pris?
Working as a psychologist takes a special person. That profession has been known for the large numbers of suicides withing the ranks.
You call your time at the hospital your attachement, is that the same as an internship here in the States?
As you wrote above, listening to lifes problems, challenges and the fight to survive in many cases has tested you.
I wish and pray for your success. If this is indeed the career you choose to work in during the years ahead you will face greater challenges than you have ever known.
Be strong, be compassionate and when needed be a friend!
David
If ever I reach heaven I expect to find three wonders there:
first, to meet some I had not thought to see there; second, to
miss some I had expected to see there; and third — the greatest
wonder of all — to find myself there.
— John Newton
Comment by David — May 26, 2010 @ 6:59 pm
Thanks!
Yeah, my attachment to the hospital is an internship
Comment by Priss — May 26, 2010 @ 8:46 pm
Amiable dispatch and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Gratefulness you seeking your information.
Comment by WP Themes — June 9, 2010 @ 5:12 am
Great information! I’ve been looking for something like this for a while now. Thanks!
Comment by CNA Training — June 25, 2010 @ 9:56 pm
great thanks \o/
Comment by xxpornoizle — December 19, 2010 @ 9:41 pm