The world of Tzu Chi July-August 2022 (Vol.142)

TZU CHI 142 45 Natasha’s (third from left) sweet smile is the strength and optimism formed from hardships. The volunteers also learned from her attitude towards life. [Photo by Hong Geok Hui] if we do not start the engine, after a while it stops working,” she advised the elderly. She also encouraged Che Wan to endure the pain and courageously stand and keep her feet on the ground with her daughter’s support, and to keep exercising to avoid muscle atrophy. Angeline understood that it was not easy for those who experienced pain to re-learn basic skills. Nevertheless, she encouraged the elderly to stand up again on their own strength. She believed that as long as one of them could restore basic self-care function, their hope of reducing their daughter’s burden would be achieved. Natasha thanked Angeline for her guidance on rehabilitation so she could learn more about the correct way of caring. She said, “My father took four years to recover the first time he had a stroke. With Nurse Ho’s assistance, I hope it would be much sooner this time.” The volunteers saw Nastasha’s round face and sweet smile as the strength and optimism formed from hardships. She smiled, “The hard work in the past is different from now. In the past, my parents could work. Now, my brother and I are supporting the family. We do everything we can with all we have. I often think that although it is tough for us, some are in worse situations. When I encounter a problem, I face it directly, then find a way to accept it and manage it. This is life.” The process of caring for patients is also learning—learning to slow down, and to keep pace with the elderly. Natasha sincerely hopes that her parents are safe and healthy so that the siblings can be with them longer and create more beautiful memories.