SOP - For Human Beings
I had a doctor's appointment recently and was sent to the other end of the office to wait to have blood drawn. Never a fun prospect. The woman beside me was having issues with verifying insurance coverage so I overheard her frustrating phone conversation. As she sat there her head was down and she looked like she might cry.
I turned to her and made small talk and introduced myself. I gave her an opening and it all poured out. The frustration of dealing with doctor's who she felt looked down on her. Her serious medical conditions including hospitalization for mrsa. And though she had cleared the infection to even doctors treat her like a leper. The difficulty of getting to this location (Pittsburgh bus system is not NYC) where to travel 3 miles she would have to take 3 buses and 1 1//2 hours time. I assured her that I understood. And I did understand. When they told us the person who draws blood there had called off and we would have to go to the hospital next door she looked distressed. I assured her that it was not far, walking distance indoors and that I would go with her. She had to go back for a vaccination Yes, I would wait. Her husband would join us to go to the Lab.
I stepped over to the nurse who I had confused earlier when she asked if we were together, when I first said no, then yes. At that time she gave us directions to the Lab for blood work. I told her sorry for the earlier confusion but that Sue and I are not really friends, that we had just met but I stayed because she was upset. The nurse looked a surprised and made a big deal about how nice that was.
I appreciated the nurses comments but shouldn't this be Standard Operating Procedure for human beings. If most people see an animal in distress or "lost" don't they stop and try to do something? This woman certainly seemed lost to me.
I want a world where helping another human in distress is not even commented on because it is so common. Perhaps I'm dreaming. But it's my life and CAN dream, can't I?
I turned to her and made small talk and introduced myself. I gave her an opening and it all poured out. The frustration of dealing with doctor's who she felt looked down on her. Her serious medical conditions including hospitalization for mrsa. And though she had cleared the infection to even doctors treat her like a leper. The difficulty of getting to this location (Pittsburgh bus system is not NYC) where to travel 3 miles she would have to take 3 buses and 1 1//2 hours time. I assured her that I understood. And I did understand. When they told us the person who draws blood there had called off and we would have to go to the hospital next door she looked distressed. I assured her that it was not far, walking distance indoors and that I would go with her. She had to go back for a vaccination Yes, I would wait. Her husband would join us to go to the Lab.
I stepped over to the nurse who I had confused earlier when she asked if we were together, when I first said no, then yes. At that time she gave us directions to the Lab for blood work. I told her sorry for the earlier confusion but that Sue and I are not really friends, that we had just met but I stayed because she was upset. The nurse looked a surprised and made a big deal about how nice that was.
I appreciated the nurses comments but shouldn't this be Standard Operating Procedure for human beings. If most people see an animal in distress or "lost" don't they stop and try to do something? This woman certainly seemed lost to me.
I want a world where helping another human in distress is not even commented on because it is so common. Perhaps I'm dreaming. But it's my life and CAN dream, can't I?