The less noticed!

I made a departure form my regular walk in the garden and found the above sights which had escaped my attention during my regular walk! They were present away from the foot path that I was used to take regularly! The less taken path brings some surprises. 

A young consultant interested in further training in a speciality applied for a training programme overseas and he was chosen to his surprise as it was a keenly contested position. In his narration of his story of the last three years, he alluded to being taken through a path he had not anticipated in the speciality training, because the professor who supervises his training seems to take him through experiences which one would have acquired normally much later in the professional experience. The professor has an eye for what is outside the regular stream of learning. The professor leads this trainee to go beyond the usual. 

While listening to a clinical story of a 30 months old child this week,  who developed a stroke like illness following a diarrhoeal illness, was well investigated by the treating team and had arrived at a logical differential diagnosis. I was encouraged by the resolve of the young team of professionals to find a way forward to help the child who is now left with hypertonia and impaired mobility and language skills. Now that most common causes for this impairment are ruled out, the search is on for any unusual cause.The enthusiastic and compassionate approach of the professional team towards this child and his family was impressive and refreshing to listen to. It was evident that the treating team was moving beyond the regular path of approach to help this family. 

I missed the sights above in our garden because I stayed on the regular foot path that I was used to taking for my walk. There was more hidden beyond my visibility. The two illustrations of clinical situations also affirm the need to leave the usual path and take a less travelled path to make learning experiences complete. 

This has a message of significance to me. I can stay in my mid seventies confined to what I am used to do! That reinforces the routine. The opportunity to discover what was missed by following the routine opened up before me through these experiences.

From mid life when one makes the journey from being generative in the language of Eric Ericson, to be an elder in the seventies, the essential transition is towards focussing on the needs and aspirations of others. 

A young consultant told me the other day how she was offered an opportunity to be part of a neuromuscular team of professionals who are into exploring the prospects of treatment and rehabilitation of children and adults with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and Spinal Muscular Atrophy with newer modalities of treatment and supportive care. Another consultant shared his thoughts about his desire to befriend young professional couples working in cross cultural heath care settings to accompany them to bring support and affirmation. 

The journey through the less travelled path is the only option when one is moved by the adventure of living, where the needs of others give a reason to be creative and exploratory! 

I realise that one does not 'settle down' nor one is on a 'conveyer belt' of activities, when one is in an elder's role, but becomes original and authentic by bringing experience and wisdom for others to benefit from! It is an occasion and opportunity to be giving willingly and altruistically, guided by the aspirations of the younger people. 

I feel glad to have an active association with young professionals because they speak a language of aspiration and hope; that gives an opportunity to affirm them with a discerning resonance! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)