The world of Tzu Chi Nov-Dec 2022 (Vol.144)

2022 • 12 38 eople In November, Chin Wei’s body began to act up. She experienced abnormal symptoms, including loss of vision, incoordination and weakness of limbs, difficulty in urinating, and even developing herpes zoster. “When I had an attack, I could not even perform simple movements like clapping my hands, walking and putting on clothes.” Feeling helpless, Chin Wei could only vent her emotional pain by crying, throwing tantrums and complaining. Her house was shrouded in negativity, which in turn affected her relationship with her husband. As Chin Wei’s deteriorating condition left her doctor at his wit’s end, she was referred to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), where she was diagnosed with Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (NMOSD), a rare autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that primarily attacks the optic nerves and spinal cord leading to blindness and paralysis. Chin Wei was shocked but still felt grateful. “Fortunately, I met a benefactor. The doctor said the consequences would be disastrous if I had continued to receive the existing treatment.” Transformation Although Chin Wei had found the proper treatment for her physical illness, the mental remedy was unavailable. At Geok Chew’s encouragement, a resentful Chin Wei began to attend Master Cheng Yen’s Dharma talks at dawn, virtually. Once after the Dharma talk, a volunteer gave her a hanging ornament with a Jing Si aphorism on it that read: “With wisdom, one has no afflictions.” The wise words of Master struck her and brought her to reflect: “Although I am highly educated, it does not help when I encounter challenges. I am always paranoid and lose my temper. How ignorant I have been!” Chin Wei admitted that she did not understand what “wisdom” meant initially. However, after constantly listening to the Dharma, participating in Tzu Chi activities, watching Da Ai TV, reading Tzu Chi books and so on, she gradually learned to solve her worries the wise ways. “A chipped cup is still round if you look at it from a different angle” is one of the Jing Si aphorisms that has helped her reframe her mind. She said, “I used to cry to my husband that I had lost my left eye, and what if my right eye went blind too? In fact, I should think differently and be grateful that I can still see with my right eye.” Chin Wei’s visits to Tzu Chi care recipients also helped her to see herself. She said remorsefully, “I met a diabetic care recipient who often grumbled although his wife was very obedient to him. In him, I saw a shadow of myself. I was still unsatisfied and complained about my husband and mum even though they took care of me tirelessly.” Chin Wei was motivated to face reality. She learned to live with her illness and change her outlook on life. She admitted that she had focused on making money, enjoying life and taking care of her family. After joining Tzu Chi, her horizons expanded, and she realized that there was a group of marginalized people in society who needed assistance. Since then, she began to actively participate in Tzu Chi activities, especially charity home visits and Cash-based Intervention programmes for refugees, hoping that she could nurture her compassion and live a more meaningful and worthy life. In 2017, she was certified as a Tzu Chi Commissioner, and took up the role