Many years ago, I was reading “In His Image,” a book by Dr. Paul Brand. Brand, some will recall, was a pioneering plastic surgeon doing incredible mission work in India, operating on those afflicted with Hansen’s disease, or leprosy. Prior to that, he had experience operating on pilots who survived crashes during the Battle of Britain, many of whom had horrible injuries from fire and other trauma typical of air combat.
One thing he said was that injured pilots, with bad cosmetic injuries, did poorly if they had no family or social support, if they were not buoyed up on love and encouragement. Those who did have the care and concern of others moved past their injuries and were very successful, despite disability and appearance.
This made me think about COVID. My father-in-law was afflicted by COVID and spent two weeks on the ventilator and several weeks in rehab. He still can’t walk, but he is making progress. Mind you, he is 83 and had some black lung from working as a coal miner. His survival is itself remarkable, but his attitude is tremendous.
Part of this has been the incredible support he received from his own bride, from my wife and her siblings, his own siblings, cousins and members of his church — all of whom, of course, lifted him up in prayer throughout the ordeal.
The belief that one is valued and valuable has healing power. Furthermore, my wife assured him that God still had work for him to do or else he wouldn’t still be around. This resonated powerfully with him.
Many people have survived COVID, but a vast number have required extensive rehab. The virus aside, we have so many in our society who survive stroke and heart attack, infection and trauma who require long periods of rehabilitation.
This can be a frustrating time for patients and their loved ones. For all the professionalism of staff members, they simply aren’t as connected or invested in the sick and disabled as their own family and friends, who couldn’t be with them due to rules about the pandemic.
People recovering from a variety of illnesses and injuries need the touch of people who love them.