A Tale of Hope in Adversity
I was severely sick and hospitalised after positive results of the COVID-19 test in February 2021. I got up slowly from my hospital bed, leaned into the washbasin and splashed some water on my face.
Suddenly, I was coughing uncontrollably, gasping for my breath. Dont know what caused this reaction… whether it was lung infection, exertion or a panic from the realization that I had COVID-19. She came running towards me. Not away from me!
I could not put my mask back and hence, my coughing would have meant sending virus into the air around, with force. But, there she was, running towards me. She was passing through the corridor. Heard my sound (may be an unintentional plea).
Realized I needed help. She had no protection on, except for the mask. She was not yet geared up for her shift that was about to begin. Yet, she rushed towards me. Held me. Made me sit, gently patted all over my back, eased up my breath and called for help. All this happened, may be in just 2 minutes. Then, they connected me to oxygen. And she kept telling me that I am going to be alright, all the while.
She knew the risk of coming so close to a highly infected patient coughing not wearing a mask. She surely knew that she was not well protected. Yet, she CHOSE to rush towards me. I could not even express my gratitude except through my eyes filled with gratitude & gratefulness.
Head Nurse: Gayathri.. She has a family. Kids waiting for her to be home, safe. After each shift that felt so tiring and as if extending into eternity, she could choose not to turn up at the hospital. She chose to show up. Am so very sure, she would have done similar act of kindness to anyone, not just me. If these are not acts of selflessness, compassion, care and bravery … what else are? Hospitals/Healthcare facilities are so full of those Angels like her.
Different names, different designations and different locations. Patient’s Religion, Region, Class, Caste, Age, Gender . . .NO BAR. Life simply is an Act of Love. And BREATH, the cause of life, needs no barriers. We are all the same there. Together!
Yes, I get it that we need to maintain distance, stay apart physically. We need to be careful. But, we do not have to run ‘away’ from and abandon each other.
Hope lies in Support, in whatever form.
That is what the thousands of Gayathri_jis of the world are standing for 🙏🙏🙏
— By Sanjay Shukla ‘Jigyasu’