Dearest Kally,
Your stories have nothing but kindness and inspiration in them. I often look forward in reading advices that you given others. Your advice are always spot on. I thought you have want to have a go at mine.
I am a retired doctor, not into any kind of specialty, just general medicine. Blessed my life, I have been healthy in all my years and I managed to earn enough to have a good retirement. The recent events as you would know has caused shortage of medical staff.
I felt compelled to come out of my retirement and step back into the medical world. I’ve made a few calls to my ex workplace and to my ex-colleagues. I managed to get a few volunteer spots for a couple of weeks. Nothing too strenuous because I am already in my 80s.
Now my children and grandchildren found out what I have been up to. Nevertheless, they are NOT HAPPY. They held an intervention in my house, threatening me, coercing, blackmail, pleading for me to stop volunteering and to stay at home because I belong to the high risk group. I keep arguing with them that helping others is my calling. All knowledge but nowhere to use them – I feel so useless for so many years.
After the unpleasant intervention, half of my children and grandchildren are not talking to me anymore. The other half of them take turns to call me everyday to persuade me to stay at home. One even went as far to puncture all 4 of my tyres! He is my favourite grandson.
What should I do? On one hand, I’m miserable staying at home, not able to do my national duty to my country, watching my fellow countrymen suffer and die while I’m at home, comfortably drinking tea in front of the fireplace. But on the other hand, I am miserable watching my loved ones worried and fight over this decision of mine. Either way, I’m considered selfish.
It is alright if you don’t have an answer for me. Just take an old man ranting in a prison created by my family!
Miserably yours, William F.
Hi William,
I truly admire your passion and dedication to your profession as well as the love for your country and fellow men/women. Such selfless person is a rarity in this world! You reminded me of firefighters – when everyone came running out of the burning house, a firefighter will run into one.
Your children and grandchildren, on the other hand, do have valid concerns and reasons wanting you to stay at home as much as possible to prevent risk of exposure. You, of all people don’t need me to stress how dangerous it can be if you are to contact Covid-19.
Perhaps you and your loved ones can meet in the middle? One where you can still volunteer your knowledge and time without endangering yourself.
For example, doing online consultation – there are many private practices needing doctors to provide advices online to those suspected to have symptoms. You can work from home and thus eliminating all risks.
Or how about volunteering at hospital / healthcare call centres? I’m sure they are overwhelmed with folks worrying over their health and wondering if they should quarantine themselves or schedule a test. Maybe use your time to publish your medical advices on your blog, make it simple for elderly folks like yourself to understand without all the confusing medical jargons and big words.
You can also check with your hospital if it is possible to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies who are researching on vaccines. You may be able to provide insights or expertise to fill in certain gaps.
I’m with you in giving back to society and helping others. Really, I am. But you must remember not to tilt the balance and take unnecessary risks. Importantly, you need to start taking steps to mend family relations. Especially during such troubled times, having family around you matters so much more.,
Take care.
Regards, Kally@MiddleMe.net
For further reading on how to cope during pandemic, here are the recommended articles: A Word Of Advice: Covid Phobia 9 Small Businesses You Can Go into Right Now in the Middle of COVID-19 Crisis What You Can Do During Covid-19 Lockdown Period to Make Yourself Attractive to Managers & Recruiters
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