Thursday, May 10, 2012 @3:02 AM
Being in the social work sector allows me to meet all kinds of people in all kinds of situation. I have this client, T. I accompanied to the hospital one day for a scan. He told me "It will be better if I have a relaspe. If I don't, I don't know how to live." I replied "I don't wish for anyone to have a terminal illness. Why would you say so?" He heaved a heavy sigh. "How do I live? I barely survive in this cost driven society! i rather die and get done with life." I don't think he is a rare breed. Many I met along in my social work journey cried the same. They rather die than to cope with the demands of uprising cost. More so for T who is out of touch of the society for more than 20 years. We discussed about passions of life and I remarked "surely you would have something you would like to do in life. Surely there is something that drives you." He replied "Yes, i love cooking. But, my health has taken a toil on me. Now, I could only dream." Humman beings. They have survive on something, someone-even though that person/thing may be vague and non existant. Its called "attachment". What is your attachment in life? What drives you to continue living?
Recently, just at my block, somebody committed suicide. I was there in the lift when his family members were in shock, brawling in dismay. I didn't know what to do. I was on my way to work and when i reached ground level, i saw the body. The family members told me that the deceased was too much in grief that her love one died that she jumped. Its rather a shocking morning-a sad one to see someone end her life like that. However, that's the power of attachment. It just overwhelms you when its gone. You don't know what you live for.
Another client of mine, K had a very difficult life. When I spoke to her, she reflected during our time together: if not for her son, she would want to die. If she dies, what will happen to her son? The resilience of some of my clients are just amazing. :)