The world of Tzu Chi August 2020 (Vol.125)

2020 • 08 40 to the emergency ward and was informed by the doctor that his leg had to be amputated. This sudden tragedy devastated him and left Biau Tua in tearful agony. Sixteen years ago, Leong Meng had an accident and injured his right leg. The injury was so severe that it later developed into bacterial infection. Fortunately, he met an excellent doctor who saved his leg. Now, with his left leg severely injured, he decided to seek treatment from the same doctor. After a careful diagnosis, he was told that he had the option of undergoing an operation to spare his left leg from amputation. However, the operation could not warrant his leg a full recovery due to the severity of the fracture. Leong Meng felt nervous and uneasy in facing the unknowns in life. He underwent multiple operations – metal rod insertion, transplanting flesh and cartilage from the thigh tomend wounds on the calf – that had eventually saved his left leg. With his calf bound in a cast and constrained mobility, he was confined to his bed throughout the course of his six- month treatment. He relied completely on his septuagenarian mother to take care of him. Fear and pressure overwhelmed him; he became depressed and gradually lost his mind, so much so that he vented his frustrations on his mother. Biau Tua was unable to work as she had to look after her son. The post-operation medical expenses made it even harder for her to cope with the financial burden. Hence, she decided to turn to Tzu Chi for help. She said gratefully, “Many years ago, my brother suffered from terminal stage cancer and Tzu Chi helped to subsidize his expenses at the nursing home. When I needed help, Tzu Chi was the first organization that came into my mind.” Ensuring peace of mind with love and care After assessing Biau Tua’s situation, Tzu Chi volunteers started providing a monthly living subsidy to Biau Tua in May 2018. However, both mother and son still looked sad and worried whenever the volunteers visited them. The prolonged period of caring for an invalid son had taken a toll on the ageing mother. Fatigue, anxiety and worry were written all over her face. Leong Meng, who had lost his mobility and was hence unable to provide for the family, felt guilty for being totally dependent on his mother. The accumulated physical and emotional torment had robbed the family of their laughter and spirit. “During the initial home visits, the mother used to force a smile upon seeing the volunteers, while the son would display a strong front, not wanting to show his weaker self in front of the volunteers,” recounted volunteer Lai Quee Lan, who had been caring for the family for a long time and felt deeply for them. The volunteers began their caring journey by focusing on fostering a close relationship with both mother and son in order to divert their minds from the pain and sorrow. Through recollections of how Tzu Chi had tided Biau Tua’s brother over difficult times, the volunteers slowly guided them into a journey of self- reflection and encouraged them to share their feelings. Gradually, the volunteers imparted to them the teachings of the Dharma and installed Da Ai TV in their home to encourage them to learn more about Tzu Chi and the Dharma, in the hope of steering them towards a positive mindset and instilling positive energy in their daily life. ouching Life Story