I’ve been contributing to Faith Focus for many years, but my last piece about being diagnosed with Amyloidosis, an incurable heart condition, received more responses than any other I’ve written.
Fortunately, I’m blessed with currently having no side effects to my condition, whereas others have various symptoms.
But frequent hospital visits for tests and consultations – having before now enjoyed a mainly healthy life – have reminded me, not only of the busyness of our hospitals and clinics and dedication of staff, but also the sheer number of people needing medical care.
Advancements in medical science and improvements in procedures have obviously added to the number able to be treated.
This is to be commended, with my brother commenting that the NHS can now extend lives beyond what they were designed for!
As a St Albans Good Neighbour Scheme volunteer driver, I recently attended a teach-in on dementia. This was really helpful, revealing what sufferers of this condition, with its many variants, go through.
Included was a bizarre exercise simultaneously involving wearing headphones emulating tinnitus, glasses modelling tunnel vision and prickly insoles in our shoes – then having to walk up and down the room. These indicated some of the symptoms of the condition!
Currently in the UK at any one time, there are more than 1.2 million people in hospital and more than 1.6 million in care homes.
We need to express gratitude to all the staff who care for these folk, and do whatever we can to make their patients’ lives as comfortable and meaningful as possible.
In addition to bringing many to salvation, much of Jesus’ earthly ministry was concern for peoples’ wellbeing and healing their medical conditions.
The New Testament records 26 healings, including blindness, paralysis, haemorrhaging, deafness, and mental health. He even raised three from the dead.
So, look out for your family, friends and neighbours’ health, and offer your presence and help when they need it. Visit them regularly in hospital or care homes and provide transport if necessary.
Putting others before ourselves gives great personal satisfaction and honours the second greatest Commandment: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself’.
Share