Reflections 2021

As I scanned the BBC’s 2021 in pictures, 2021 reflected in the two pictures below. In the first picture, emotions seen on the faces of the man and the gorilla are reflective of what we have been through in healthcare under attack from Covid 19 and its variants. We are all fatigued and tired, both emotionally and physically. It has taken a toll on all of us in healthcare as we see what this virus can do. Yet we are here to help support those in need. We have sacrificed our lives to help humanity and for the future, a brighter and healthier future. The way the gorilla is looking at the man is how we have had patients look at us, where words are not needed and emotions and looks are enough to communicate. We have all trained to do the best we can, to save lives, to provide the best care and to heal. The man took the gorilla when he had no hope, became his best friend, his care giver, his healer and towards the end of his life the look on the gorilla’s face is all the man needs, no words are necessary, he sits there holding him in his last moments, enjoying and reflecting on bond they have built together. We in healthcare too have had many such moments where we created these bonds and that is what keeps us going.

For some we could not change the outcome but remember them, we pray for them and their families. We pray for awareness, for myths to be dispelled and for a healthier and safer world.

In the second picture, we see a man who has an expression of determination. He has survived all odds in life without his arms, yet he is competing at the top of his sport in the Paralympic games. Many times, in this past year, we felt we had no arms, we felt disabled for the monumental task ahead, yet as a team we pulled our resources together and continued to move forward. We looked at each other for inspiration and we survived at the top of our game caring for those who needed our help in the hospitals across the country. Each time a “code blue” was called we responded and if the outcome was not good, we reflected for a few minutes on who the patient was, said a small prayer and we healed each other. We left the room ready to take care of what lay ahead of us.

2021 was the year where I took the step to write my stories, I would like to thank all of you for taking the time to read and provide feedback.

May 2022 be a year of hope. A year where we support each other not just in healthcare but in every aspect of life. I pray for a safer and healthier 2022.

May God Bless us all!