Not many people are willing to put the needs of others before their own, but my friend Angela is that kind of person. In the past year she has endured significant health complications due to a combination of multiple sclerosis and covid. She’s been in and out of the hospital for lengthy stays, but that hasn’t stopped her from being completely selfless. Thankfully, after months of recuperation she is no longer reliant on a walker or oxygen, and is feeling more like her normal self again. Many follow-up appointments continue to be required to monitor her health, including neurological exams.
The day before her most recent neurology appointment, Angela texted me to say, she would gladly offer her appointment to our daughter. She heard about our youngest daughter’s grand mal seizure episode that had occurred only days prior, and that Emily couldn’t be seen by a Children’s Hospital neurologist until January. No questions asked she was willing to forego her appointment if it meant expediting an evaluation for Emily. Had she not offered I wouldn’t have thought Angela selfish, but her text was completely selfless. As it turned out our daughter was able to be seen elsewhere sooner than expected. We’re still on our road to discovery, but figuring it out.
We may never know why the terrifying seizure occurred. We’ll also never forget the tremendous thoughtfulness of Angela. She acted in a completely selfless manner. Words can’t express my gratitude for the health of my friend or for her offer. It was a grand gesture of true human compassion that many of us wouldn’t be willing to match. May we all learn from her example of what it means to live selflessly. Sometimes putting the needs of others before our own can make all the difference to the recipient.
