Monday, July 25, 2011

Hospis Laughter for the Terminally Ill Patients- 26/July 2011

I have been doing LY sessions on and off at Hospis and Sisters of the Poor over the last 3 months.  What I have found is that, typically, as with other LY sessions elsewhere, it's the women who can express themselves freely and enjoy the fun that laughter yoga emulates.  It makes me wonder at the egoism of men, and why is it that they cannot let go.  But let me come back to the topic, the cancer patients of Hospis.  Last Thursday, I had a session with the women patients.  A few of the patients appeared tired and pale, but they were, nevertheless participative and did the exercises. One of them had to sit, yet she laughed with us.  Another had to rest on a chair after a few exercises, but that did not stop her from laughing.  We had a good session, and I hugged some of them, seeing that they were weak, yet so enthusiastic.
Later, a volunteer told me that some of these patients sickness had advanced, reaching the  terminal stage.  On hindsight, yes, I could see the paleness and weakness of a few of them. They are looking at death, YET..they carried on boldly with their time on this world, without sadness.  I feel privileged to know them and thankful for being able to introduce LY.  I do not know if I see all the familiar faces in the next LY session, but I am grateful to touch their lives through LY, without which I would never have the chance to see their courage.  I haven learned that attitude  is everything, in sickness and in health.

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