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Title: 20091105 12 years of free dialysis Malaysian Li Guoxing.wmv View count: 36 Rating: 0 (0 ratings) Description: 12 years of free dialysis Malaysian Li Guoxing In 1997, Tzu Chi's Penang chapter in Malaysia kicked off its first free clinic, giving many local kidney patients a wide new pathway to hope. Li Guoxing was one of those lucky people. After being diagnosed with severe renal disease, his suffering soon spread to his family, as their chief breadwinner was brought down, and their savings were spent on his treatment. Thus, when Tzu Chi opened its dialysis center, Mr. Li was among the first to apply - and today, he says he has Tzu Chi to thank for helping him survive. Now, Mr. Li - a patient of the clinic all these last 12 years - has hearkened to Tzu Chi's call, and embraces every opportunity to perpetuate the cycle of giving. Evening falls -- and work begins As evening falls, cars speed home like rockets. Yet for Li Guoxing and the three others of his family, this is when work begins. Though they will labor hard until 4 AM, Li Guoxing betrays no ill will. In 1996, Li first began dialysis; his two sons were elementary students, and to help the family out, his wife took a job in the boys' cafeteria, selling noodles. No way to make ends meet Although they were receiving a charity stipend from the hospital, the medical bills were too much. Nurses were also understaffed, so the patients often operated the machines, or even inserted the needles. Dialysis patient, Li Guoxing: "When I started dialysis, I had to take my wife so she could insert the needles. After you had the needles in, they'd come take your oney. They'd let you slide once if you didn't have the money." Dialysis, cafeteria, dialysis, cafeteria.. After Li's wife got the needle in, she'd hustle off to sell noodles. Then four hours later she was back in the hospital, pulling it out. After dialysis, the couple would ush back to the school, to tend to more business. Day in, day out, life was this hectic, and slowly it grew intolerable. Tzu Chi sought him out In 1997, Tzu Chi-Penang established a free dialysis center, so that poor patients could get the life-sustaining treatments. It was the Tzu Chi volunteers who brought Mr. Li to the center. Dialysis patient, Li Guoxing: "There were many volunteers, and when I came they'd give me a blanket, and ask if they could help me with anything." Tzu Chi's medical philosophy is to nurture and protect life, health, and human caring. The Li's give witness to Tzu Chi's devotion: affable, friendly, they came to his home. Dialysis patient's wife: "Auntie Ye helped us very much, like she was Guoxing's family. When the Auntie came, she'd put her hand on my shoulder, and his shoulder, too. Together, we would hug each other." Dialysis patient, Li Guoxing: "Everyone's been so good to me. I feel so lucky. I'm from the first group. You must have done something good in a past life, and in this one Tzu Chi came to give you this dialysis." Sharing what one has After experiencing good fortune, it is natural for us to pass it along, to continue the cycle. Only the consistently charitable can accumulate blessings in this life. So Li seizes every opportunity to express his generosity. Dialysis patient, Li Guoxing: "I once heard the Master say something; she told us to turn our hearts and hands downward. Upwards is what we do when others help us. Down is when we help others. With Tzu Chi, I help other people with their problems. And I'm happy. I like it a lot." Tags: tzu chi, free clinic, dialysis, malaysia, Author: tzuchisg |
