“…Our weekly schedule is packed. Physical therapy on Mondays and Fridays, acupuncture on Tuesdays and Thursdays afternoon…” Meiling recites effortlessly when talking about Meiyong’s daily routine. As a carer for a long-term patient, the responsibility of attention and care in daily life is interconnected.
Several years ago, Meiling’s sister, Meiyong, suffered a stroke. It was a severe case that required intensive treatment and observation. After her condition stabilized, she was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Due to the stroke affecting the right side of her body and speech abilities, Meiyong needed assistance with daily activities such as eating and mobility. In an instant, Meiling became a full-time carer. She immediately searched for different community resources and sought professional advice. Once she read in the newspaper that acupuncture was beneficial for stroke recovery, thus she arranged it for her sister. She diligently massaged Meiyong’s fingers, shoulders, and toes to knees each day, repeating it 100 times to prevent stiffness. She also enrolled in various speech therapy courses and training offered by universities and hospitals.
With Meiyong’s determination and Meiling’s active encouragement, Meiyong’s mobility greatly improved. What was initially expected to take three years for her to walk independently was achieved in two years. Even now, Meiling continues to arrange different rehabilitation training for her sister. She has also participated in CRN’s choir, “Melodies in the Wind,” which serves as a form of speech therapy through singing. Meiling still vividly remembers the emotional moment when she discovered that her sister could sing. After spending some time in the choir, Meiyong’s speech abilities noticeably improved, and her confidence soared.
As a carer, the greatest desire is undoubtedly to witness the progress of loved ones. Meiling never imagined she would experience this in her life, and the day her sister had the stroke and the subsequent confusion remain vivid in her mind. Meiling mentioned that in their family, her sister used to play the role of a “manager,” providing advice and making final decisions on matters big and small. Faced with the sudden impact, Meiling did not give up. She willingly took on the responsibility of being her sister’s manager, handling everything from applying for rehabilitation training to taking care of daily activities and meals. She single-handedly managed the visits to the hospital, going to nearby restaurants to fill her stomachs, and then returning to the hospital to look after her sister. Meiling admits that this kind of hectic schedule is indeed challenging, but seeing her sister’s gradual progress makes it all worthwhile.
In the boundless journey of patient recovery, the companionship and shared learning of carers are equally important. Meiling deeply appreciates the support and sharing from her family and siblings, as they provide her with timely strength. Just as patients have carers to lean on, carers also need a solid support system. The community provides various services and resources that carers can make good use of. In times of need, these external forces may serve as a ray of light in the darkness, alleviating the pressure on carers and bringing hope to both patients and carers.