Charlie sits there like a free man with a blanket no thicker than a phone. His dirty, stained with dirt hand reaches out, asking for alms. Funny how few months ago he was a man with 2 mortgages and 3 cars.
Charlie was a business man. Like every other business man, what he does is playing with risk. Making investments here and there; taking a risk. It just so happens that Charlie took the wrong risk at the wrong time. In these days, recession hits everyone Charlie included. He remembers the day when he was finally chased out by the Bank that he owes money from. It was sad. His wife divorced him, took the kids and went back to her family down south.
The one thing he never regrets was upholding his principle. He accepts what he has and what he doesn't. In his mind, he's a poor man with a value. Well, at least he has something in him.
Charlie, of course, sleeps on the street. He starts wandering around at 7am and ask for alms. By 12 noon, he'd make enough to have a piece of bread for lunch. After that he would wander off again till he gets enough for dinner. That was his daily routine. Much like when he was still working. 7am at work, 12 noon lunch break and continue off till dinner time. Funny how our life dictates us the same even when we have nothing.
There was once, a man who Charlie had saved from being robbed. The man was in his late 60s, 5ft 8in, medium build with a white beard. His name was Arthur. This man has been living alone for 20 years after his wife died. Hasn't got any kids. Charlie would be about the age of his son, if his son were still alive.
Arthur let Charlie stay in his home for a few days. Heck, for as long as he wants. Arthur probably knew that if he gave that offer to a homeless guy, that guy would never leave. But there was something in Charlie that Arthur saw. Something so special that it made Arthur trust him well enough. Besides, he could use some company.
Charlie never knew his dad. Never knew what is daddy's love like. That night, he imagined Arthur as his father. Although it might be far-fetched because Charlie looks nothing like him but it gave a sense of comfort to him. It felt like home.
After quite some time, Charlie felt so comfortable he thought he never want to leave. Arthur insist that he stay until he is able to find a job again. To stand up on his two feet. But the economy was bad. It was a global recession, one that many analyst define as the Great Depression.
Arthur saved enough money during his work days, he could feed a family of four for 10 years in the recession. Arthur was a man who saves money for times of trouble. All those years paid off finally.
Charlie felt it was wrong. He's poor. He's homeless. But yet he's in a home. Comfy and warm. His clothes are clean and tidy. He gets hot shower in the morning. A bed and a pillow to sleep. A kitchen to cook and eat. A living room to enjoy. He has what normal people has and yet he has nothing.
So Charlie takes his old clothes, one that he kept in a box in the wardrobe. He puts on his sock while sitting on the stairs. He take one last look in the house. A place of warmth. Arthur is sound asleep. Being an old man, he sleeps early. Charlie muster up his courage to face reality. One that he was meant to be. He opens the door, and head into the blistering cold.
Sunday, 4 March 2012
Monday, 27 February 2012
A stigma..
Stigma is a very big part of medicine especially in mental health issues. Almost everyone experienced stigma. But it is more prevalent in those with an illness.
Just what the hell is this stigma??
I think an example would best show what it is. For example, a man with a previous history of severe depression, wanted to rent a flat. The owner is fine with him staying as long as he stays away from his young children. The man in return replied "I'm not a child-eater you know. I'm human just like you." The man who is completely fine, in good health, is experiencing stigma enacted by his landlord. That is stigma.
It might seem trivia but it doesn't when we ourselves experienced it. Stigma comes in many form. Even in the form that other people can't see. That is felt stigma. A stigma that is within the person anticipating an enacted stigma.
People sometimes need to stop judging people from what they had in their past. Sometimes, even health care professionals enact stigma on patients. I know it's difficult to not prejudice to someone else just because they had bi-polar disorder, or schizophrenia, but if they do not do anything to you, then why should do anything to them? Why prejudice?
I read an article once in British Medical Journal about the life story of the article's author himself...He was a medical student who had bi-polar disorder. He dropped out of med school for failing exams and had a trouble with the police force. However, he got help and got better in a year. He then requested the med school for a second chance and was lucky to be given one.
Since then he got numerous prize for outstanding performances. He also completed a PhD and currently doing another one as well. He's married, have two lovely kids and a three-legged cat.
The thing is, he knew what it was like to be stigmatised. People were telling him to quit because of his mental health illness. But he kept on going proving others wrong. He said, stigma is like a disease. It spreads from one person to another.
People choose what they want to believe but they didn't think for once that they might be wrong. People who had mental health or any illness is no different from us. It's their action today that define who they are at the moment.
Why prejudice? They are us, and we are them. No one likes to be judged by others, so why should you?
Just what the hell is this stigma??
I think an example would best show what it is. For example, a man with a previous history of severe depression, wanted to rent a flat. The owner is fine with him staying as long as he stays away from his young children. The man in return replied "I'm not a child-eater you know. I'm human just like you." The man who is completely fine, in good health, is experiencing stigma enacted by his landlord. That is stigma.
It might seem trivia but it doesn't when we ourselves experienced it. Stigma comes in many form. Even in the form that other people can't see. That is felt stigma. A stigma that is within the person anticipating an enacted stigma.
People sometimes need to stop judging people from what they had in their past. Sometimes, even health care professionals enact stigma on patients. I know it's difficult to not prejudice to someone else just because they had bi-polar disorder, or schizophrenia, but if they do not do anything to you, then why should do anything to them? Why prejudice?
I read an article once in British Medical Journal about the life story of the article's author himself...He was a medical student who had bi-polar disorder. He dropped out of med school for failing exams and had a trouble with the police force. However, he got help and got better in a year. He then requested the med school for a second chance and was lucky to be given one.
Since then he got numerous prize for outstanding performances. He also completed a PhD and currently doing another one as well. He's married, have two lovely kids and a three-legged cat.
The thing is, he knew what it was like to be stigmatised. People were telling him to quit because of his mental health illness. But he kept on going proving others wrong. He said, stigma is like a disease. It spreads from one person to another.
People choose what they want to believe but they didn't think for once that they might be wrong. People who had mental health or any illness is no different from us. It's their action today that define who they are at the moment.
Why prejudice? They are us, and we are them. No one likes to be judged by others, so why should you?
Sunday, 12 February 2012
Back to the past...
Scrolling through the blog for one more time. Ahhh...memories~ But wait! OH GOD WHY!? Just had the moment when you realize how stupid you were for posting stuffs that you didn't give much thought. Oh well, everyone had their moments in life when you hope you'd do better.
Hope all those experience made me a better person today than I ever was. However, it was enjoyable to read how one's mind evolve over time especially if that person is you yourself! The human mind and emotions are very peculiar. As if unpredictable in terms of ageing.
I've never really give it much thought but does human thinking behaviour and present emotions will affect your ageing and thinking development?
Oddly enough, I'll probably let the future of this blog decide :)
Till then! Teraaahh!
Salam.
Hope all those experience made me a better person today than I ever was. However, it was enjoyable to read how one's mind evolve over time especially if that person is you yourself! The human mind and emotions are very peculiar. As if unpredictable in terms of ageing.
I've never really give it much thought but does human thinking behaviour and present emotions will affect your ageing and thinking development?
Oddly enough, I'll probably let the future of this blog decide :)
Till then! Teraaahh!
Salam.
Monday, 12 December 2011
A bond that cannot be broken.
Bond.
An unbreakable bond.
Some people upon hearing this would probably tell themselves "I know about these bonds".
Well, yes. All of you do know this bond. This feeling of security and love so much that you'll never get tired of it. It'll never wear down, although sometimes there's holes and tears but this bond always manage to mend itself. Always manage to get hold of your deepest feelings.
However, like everything else in this world, to each person, this bond is different. Some have strong, some have weak. But nevertheless, it is there. Which is why to each person is unique. I'm pretty sure most people have a strong bond.
You know what I'm talking about.
Family.
I do not know everyone's relationship with their family or if any of their family members already passed away. Therefore, I apologize sincerely because I might have not known what you've been through. In that case, please allow me to give you a glimpse of what I feel for my family.
Family is like a house. You build the foundation out of love. The stronger the better. Once the foundation is laid out and then the pillars comes next. This is where the children came into play. Son and daughters is the pillars of a new home. The bricks are all the experience you get from your family. Each and every brick is different from one another. The more you have, the stronger your home is.
Next is the roof. The roof is what is the result of the love and experience together. The roof is the bond that I'm talking about. It shelters the home from being wet from the rain, or the heat from the Sun.
If you miss any one of those, the house is incomplete.
Let it be a big house, or a small house. Each one of them give a feeling like no other. Feeling of being belong to something. All of my experience, my family have been there for me. Let it be when I was ill or when I was taking my exam results or when I was sad. But I know my family would not be there for me forever. And when the time comes, I do not want to have any regrets.
I wish when the time come for me to serve my parents, I will not hesitate. Just like my parents did not hesitate to give me food when I was hungry. To clean me when I am dirty. To hold my hands as I learn how to walk. To listen to me when I learn to speak.
I hope this for you as well. Please learn something out of this. Parents will get old. They will move on someday. And you'll make your own family.
Have you not ever sit down together with your family and realize how many grey hairs your parents have? How they could not do the things that they use to do and needed your help? You're blind if you can't see this.
I often ask myself, what can I do? Most of the time, I couldn't get an answer. You know why? Because my parents never ask for anything. I'm sure the same for you too.
So please. Wherever you are, whether it's far or close to your home. Give your parents a hug. Give them a call. Tell them you miss them. Tell them you love them. Don't wait till Hari Raya to say these words. You'll never know what would happen.
Lets make du'a for our parents.
"All praise due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, the most Merciful, please forgive all my sins, my friend's and my parents. Please protect my parents from the evil of their own souls and evil of others. Protect them from the fire of hell and open your gate of Jannah to them. Bless them with your blessings oh dear Lord. Love them as much as they loved me when I was a child. Care for them like they have cared for me. For you are the best Protector and the All-Forgiving. Amiin"
Thanks for reading.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
An unbreakable bond.
Some people upon hearing this would probably tell themselves "I know about these bonds".
Well, yes. All of you do know this bond. This feeling of security and love so much that you'll never get tired of it. It'll never wear down, although sometimes there's holes and tears but this bond always manage to mend itself. Always manage to get hold of your deepest feelings.
However, like everything else in this world, to each person, this bond is different. Some have strong, some have weak. But nevertheless, it is there. Which is why to each person is unique. I'm pretty sure most people have a strong bond.
You know what I'm talking about.
Family.
I do not know everyone's relationship with their family or if any of their family members already passed away. Therefore, I apologize sincerely because I might have not known what you've been through. In that case, please allow me to give you a glimpse of what I feel for my family.
Family is like a house. You build the foundation out of love. The stronger the better. Once the foundation is laid out and then the pillars comes next. This is where the children came into play. Son and daughters is the pillars of a new home. The bricks are all the experience you get from your family. Each and every brick is different from one another. The more you have, the stronger your home is.
Next is the roof. The roof is what is the result of the love and experience together. The roof is the bond that I'm talking about. It shelters the home from being wet from the rain, or the heat from the Sun.
If you miss any one of those, the house is incomplete.
Let it be a big house, or a small house. Each one of them give a feeling like no other. Feeling of being belong to something. All of my experience, my family have been there for me. Let it be when I was ill or when I was taking my exam results or when I was sad. But I know my family would not be there for me forever. And when the time comes, I do not want to have any regrets.
I wish when the time come for me to serve my parents, I will not hesitate. Just like my parents did not hesitate to give me food when I was hungry. To clean me when I am dirty. To hold my hands as I learn how to walk. To listen to me when I learn to speak.
I hope this for you as well. Please learn something out of this. Parents will get old. They will move on someday. And you'll make your own family.
Have you not ever sit down together with your family and realize how many grey hairs your parents have? How they could not do the things that they use to do and needed your help? You're blind if you can't see this.
I often ask myself, what can I do? Most of the time, I couldn't get an answer. You know why? Because my parents never ask for anything. I'm sure the same for you too.
So please. Wherever you are, whether it's far or close to your home. Give your parents a hug. Give them a call. Tell them you miss them. Tell them you love them. Don't wait till Hari Raya to say these words. You'll never know what would happen.
Lets make du'a for our parents.
"All praise due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, the most Merciful, please forgive all my sins, my friend's and my parents. Please protect my parents from the evil of their own souls and evil of others. Protect them from the fire of hell and open your gate of Jannah to them. Bless them with your blessings oh dear Lord. Love them as much as they loved me when I was a child. Care for them like they have cared for me. For you are the best Protector and the All-Forgiving. Amiin"
Thanks for reading.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Friday, 21 October 2011
Weekend backpacking!
This weekend I'm backpacking to Liverpool! :) I hope it's gonna be fun trip though! Well, I've always wanted to visit the Anfield stadium but I hope there's no home game this weekend! Otherwise, I'll just have to visit the Beatles museum then!
4-5 hours via bus to Manchester! An hour train to Liverpool! :) Kinda lame to talk about it but this is my first time touring UK via public transport! Haha :)
Well then, shall we not share the way of the prophets who always start their journey with a doa? :D
Bismillah :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
4-5 hours via bus to Manchester! An hour train to Liverpool! :) Kinda lame to talk about it but this is my first time touring UK via public transport! Haha :)
Well then, shall we not share the way of the prophets who always start their journey with a doa? :D
Bismillah :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, 9 October 2011
New toy!
It's my new toy that I recently bought. Kinda cool huh? I feel like in the movies for owning one of this. Kinda adds to the room don't you think? Now this is what I called entertainment! :D
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Dissection
I know it's kinda of lame talking about cadavers and all, after been a year in med school. But I'm not planning on talking about it.
I'm planning to talk about people who post photos of their cadavers in social network sites. It disgusts me to see that these 'supposedly' professional students posts all about their cadavers in their twitter or facebook. How more embarrassing can it get? Being ignorant of medical ethics when you're in the line of medicine? Not to mention can be top shot too?
Those cadavers are not toys. They were people before same like you and me. They probably have a family, have kids. Heck, even a decent job. But they chose to give their body in order for the likes of us to study so that later on in life, we can find ourselves food to live.
So where is the respect for that? It's not easy to donate your body just like that. It takes courage and strength knowing at your body gonna be sliced up and your organs gonna be in formaldehyde most of the time. So please have respect for them.
Sadly, some people whom I feel shouldn't have done it, is a Muslim. Even in Islam, the dead are treated with utmost respect. Aurah is preserved even when you died. It is still haram to look at the dead's Aurah. We are allowed to do so because we're studying about it. As far as I know, posting dead body's photo with you posing in it on twitter or facebook isn't part of studying.
I wish this message reach to all med students especially Muslims. This is a message reminding you just in case you forget. Cheers! :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I'm planning to talk about people who post photos of their cadavers in social network sites. It disgusts me to see that these 'supposedly' professional students posts all about their cadavers in their twitter or facebook. How more embarrassing can it get? Being ignorant of medical ethics when you're in the line of medicine? Not to mention can be top shot too?
Those cadavers are not toys. They were people before same like you and me. They probably have a family, have kids. Heck, even a decent job. But they chose to give their body in order for the likes of us to study so that later on in life, we can find ourselves food to live.
So where is the respect for that? It's not easy to donate your body just like that. It takes courage and strength knowing at your body gonna be sliced up and your organs gonna be in formaldehyde most of the time. So please have respect for them.
Sadly, some people whom I feel shouldn't have done it, is a Muslim. Even in Islam, the dead are treated with utmost respect. Aurah is preserved even when you died. It is still haram to look at the dead's Aurah. We are allowed to do so because we're studying about it. As far as I know, posting dead body's photo with you posing in it on twitter or facebook isn't part of studying.
I wish this message reach to all med students especially Muslims. This is a message reminding you just in case you forget. Cheers! :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)