The above morning scenes of rose bushes in our garden on a day at day break, give an indication of how life thrives around us, quietly and boldly!
Although the winter this year is interrupted by frequent rains and days are mostly cloudy, the rose bushes seem to thrive defying the unsteady weather and humid conditions.
This brings an awareness of the 'will to thrive' that is inherent to plant life.
The garden space is a protective environment to plant life !
Dr Alfred White Franklin (1905-1984) one among the first generation of Neonatologists in Britain practicing in London, having held distinguished positions in the academia and hospital practice got compelled by issues related to child abuse and protection in his mid life. What led him to summarise his observation on Pastoral Paediatrics was 'the change that has come about from a focus on disease and diseased organs in children to the modern view of children as growing and developing people ...' (quoted from the cover page of the book).
According to Dr Franklin, ' In doing his work, the doctor, and not only the Paediatrician, does well to exercise his mind in introspection, examining his aims, his ways of thinking, his attitude towards his patients and their families, as well as towards himself, his profession and society' .
What Dr Franklin wrote in the introduction (p 9) revealed the thoughts that inspired him: 'Among the most precious possessions of a healthy society is medical profession, recruited through vocation, from men of intelligence and humanity, who value freedom of action, and freedom of thought as highly as they regard the health and well being of their fellow citizens' .
He proposed that the 'concept of child health now takes account of the child, his constitutional equipment for life, and how this may be made good or marred in the womb, the labour ward, the nursery, the family, the school and society' !
With this wide orientation on child health perspectives, Dr Franklin titled his book as Pastoral Paediatrics, to highlight the call to paediatricians to be care givers for the development of children and not just physicians treating their illness.
I remember a conversation with a senior advocate, Mr Kapil Sibel, of the honourable Supreme Court of India about ten years ago, in connection with an appeal Christian medical College, Vellore made for freedom to choose medical students through its own entrance test and the interview process that sought to discern a 'sense of purpose to serve' in the aspiring students. Mr Sibel commented, if CMCV were to loose its appeal, the only medical college in India where 'motivation and vocation' is an eligibly criterion to study medicine, it will be most regretful! Yes, the honourable court did not entertain the request of CMCV.
What stays with me of memories during twenty five years in teaching responsibilities in Medical Colleges, the 'pastoral care' of medical students is central to give them a flavour of being 'pastoral' in their attitude towards people who come to them for health care! CMCV places value for 'formation of students' which is facilitated by the foster parenting system. A group of about eight medical students become 'fosters' of a faculty couple, who accompany them during the four and half years of training. The faculty couple would keep in touch with them even after they finish undergraduate training.
The flowers and bud thrive in plants because the garden offers hospitality to thrive.
The medical training is also for helping students to become pastoral to themselves and to others ! The teachers are their formators, if they are pastoral in orientation!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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