“Let me clear my gowns off these chairs and sit down by the flowers near the window.” Not many people in the hospital facing mental illness and possible homelessness have the energy or demeanor to show such hospitality to two people they’ve never met. After having been in the hospital for 16 days, it seemed all she wanted was some non-medical attention. She shared her stories of the past from when she borrowed her mom’s diesel car at 12, to riding motorcycles with Hell’s Angels, to getting involved in harm-reduction outreach to heroin users. As someone who has faced so many challenges such has having her son taken away by her mother at a young age to overcoming substance abuse, she has shown miraculous charisma and energy that was contagious. In the setting of a hospital, you’re stripped of many social connections – this woman went out of her way to restore just some normalcy when she saw the opportunity. Her willingness to share as well as to listen to us recounting our childhood was unexpected but incredibly appreciated. While doctors associated her mood and energy to incorrectly dosed medications, she associated with her naturally outgoing personality. Being there and lending and ear was all she needed to feel normal again and I’m glad that we had the opportunity to do that for her.
Stephanie Pang (P1)