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A total of 760,000 volunteers participated in various fields, such as: disinfection, publicity campaigns, quarantine support, the distribution and production of goods, the making and distribution of masks, the local farm product consumption movement, food assistance to the underprivileged and fundraising.
In one instance, eleven doctors, 100 nurses, 32 nursing assistants, 40 administrative staff, and 32 clinical pathologists from Gwangju went to support Daegu voluntarily during the pandemic.
Every time we face a crisis in our society, people display their goodwill and do their best to contribute to the common good. Thanks to these volunteers, our society goes on despite many obstacles.
Living in our nunnery north of the Han River, visiting hospitals can be a financially demanding problem. With the help of merciful grace, however, we benefit from our greater community.
Thanks to the generous spirit of charity and donations, we have several local doctors supporting our congregation. Large-scale Catholic hospitals in other districts give us discounts, but some of the little clinics nearby also give us free medical care.
To name a few, Bright Saint Mary's Eye Clinic, Gangbuk Internal Medicine Clinic, Saramin Dental Clinic and Gangbuk Yeonse Otorhinolaryngology are constantly providing us free medical care. Beyond religion, they give us healthcare without taking any payment. When we give them payment for medical care, they donate it back to us.
About a month ago, I had an eye examination, and our ophthalmologist advised me to go to a bigger clinic due to a serious condition in my left eye. Heeding his recommendation, I went to Apgujeong St. Mary's Eye Clinic for retinal detachment surgery.
I was going to come back to the congregation after surgery, but Doctor Jeong Stefano let me stay one night in the hospital room to ensure my recovery. The next day was Saturday, but he came to see me again, even though he was off-duty.
Looking back, my eyes were often tired. About a year ago, floaters appeared from time to time, but I didn't pay much attention to them.
Recently, I bumped into a bookshelf while trying to get up from my bed to go to the bathroom during the night. My head was bleeding a bit on the right side. I applied pressure to my head hard with my palm to stop any further bleeding, but I could barely sleep with a towel tightly wrapped around my head.
In the morning when I got up, I felt like curtains were drawn over my field of vision. There was something like a tint in the upper part of my left eye's field of vision. It was still the same the next day. So I went to a nearby eye clinic to have my eyes checked.
I learned that retinal detachment could lead to blindness if not immediately surgically treated. Thanks to the accident, I took a month-long rest to ensure my full recovery. It was truly a blessing in disguise! It is wonderful to be able to see the marvelous beauty of people and things around us.
The author is a member of the Daughters of St. Paul (fsp.pauline.or.kr.), living and giving good news to the world by means of social communication.
