I decided I needed to write about the good in people after all my negative posts I usually do on PYHO!
As many of you know, my dad was admitted into the hospital back in March and had a series of mini strokes or TIAs. He was in ICU for a week and in the process we learned that his right carotid artery was completely occluded. Meaning no blood flow – AT ALL – to his brain. They had a bear of a time trying to regulate his blood pressure and through it all my dad was gracious and thankful to all the hospital staff and a favorite patient for most of them. He was surrounded by family the entire time and we too went out of our way to make sure everyone knew how much we appreciated them.
I think this in turn helped us in the long run. Good karma and all that mumbo jumbo.
My dad is one of the 50.7 million uninsured Americans. His work didn’t offer insurance and private insurance would have bankrupt my parents. So we were counting on patient assistance to help us out. That took over six months of battling and appeals and resulted in only partial help. But beggars can't be choosers so we were thankful for any assistance at all.
One of the amazing things that we have been exposed to through all of this is the goodness and kindness of people. Every doctor that my father has been seen by has gone out of their way to make sure my dad gets the care he needs. They didn’t care if he had insurance or not. Most immediately agreed to discounted rates on office visits and tried to help us navigate the system in the best way possible. None of them have to do this. They do it because they truly care.
From offering personal cell phone numbers to providing treatments in their office that they would usually outsource – we are constantly blown away by the generosity and kindness shown to us by these virtual strangers.
As I watch the news each morning and am subjected to horror story after horror story - I wish someone would spotlight all these angels among us that provide families like mine with hope and reassurance.
One of my dad’s doctors is the father of an old classmate of mine. We happen to still be friends on Facebook so yesterday I sent him a note to thank him and his father. I’m sure he had no idea his dad was doing all this for mine but I felt he needed to know. When my dad was in the hospital and recovering all sorts of people came out of the woodwork with stories about my dad’s kindness and generosity. They made me appreciate the man he is so much more. I owed it to my friend to have that feeling too and to give him the chance to let his dad know just how much we as a family are moved and touched by his actions.
Many times people try to “Pay It Forward” - I’m not sure if in a situation like this there is any way we can pay it forward but I hope by writing this little blurb and sharing with all of you – it too restores your faith in people. I think most of us truly are good and that all we hear about is the bad. Is there anything that stands out to you about a good deed or person in your life that you’d like to share?
Shell over at Things I Can't Say hosts - Pour Your Heart Out. It is a place to just get whatever is weighing on your heart out. Please be kind to all of the posters.
8 comments:
there are so many angels behind the scene we saw this when my father was very sick and eventually passed thinking my mom was sinking in debt she recieved a bill one day that was to be overwhelming and in return it said "Paid In Full"
There are definitely good people out there and I love hearing stories about them. Such a blessing to have people who are willing to help him!
Wow this was great. Thanks for posting it.
It's hard to feel so helpless. My dad has had two heart attacks and I'm so thankful he is still with us. It's neat you knew the man and could thank him!
Beautiful post, really. So thoughtful.
My sister is a hospice nurse and she spends day and night making sure people pass without pain and that their family members might have an ounce more peace. She take these people on outtings when she can for that "one last good day". She buys little gifts and milkshakes for the man who can't get enough even though money might be tight for her. Then she comes home to two bratty teen boys and really gets no thanks at all. She's amazing to me. All nurses are!
That was really touching Di, seriously. I loved it.
Despite all the negativity we are constantly bombarded with in life, it is so very important to bring to light those moments great and small in which the generosity of the human spirit is shared. Awesome post! There is an abundance of good out there...sometimes we just have to look a little harder for it.
Sometimes when something is going bad in our lives it is then we see the good in our fellow man.
Post a Comment