One story more devastating than the next

Recall there are 1500 poverty stricken and disabled patients in this small suburb of Vung Tau. Three families invited a select few of us to their homes to see how they live, hear a more personal story and interact with their family members. Let me start with the first family: Above you will see their very modest home. We were introduced to a family of 6 all of who have severe disabilities. Both parents are blind (meeting and falling in love at a center for the blind many years ago). They had a son, who was born with spinal abnormalities who subsequently married a disabled woman. Miraculously, they had a baby girl, born free of disablilities. The family unit was happy to be able to live together and build a life together despite the circumstances. *** Upsetting and moving to me to me to say the least***
The second family, was a man born with severe disabling polio, living with his mother and brother. Interacting with him was touching. Through my students translation, the man told this story: "I am both happy and sad. I am happy because I am 51 years old, born with a devstating disease that claims the life of most by age 30-40." "I am sad because, even though I am living longer than most, I am a severe burden on the rest of my family. he don't deserve to be burdened with my 24/7 and thus I wish to die" ***Just as I thought I couldn't get more upset, tears trickled down my face***
The third, a 29 year old man, born to a mother who was exposed to Agent Orange during the war. As you can see, he is severely crippled and disabled, barely able to communicate, but full of emotion. He is taken care of by his only living relative, his Uncle. Immediately upon our interaction I was torn with emotion but was able to control my external signs. Again through translation of my student, he told this story: "I am very grateful to my Uncle who cares for me 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I only have one wish: I wish God would take me to heaven very soon. I know God will provide me the things I did not have on Earth including my legs and the ability to care for others. I wish to die before my Uncle, that way when God provides my ability and legs, I can finally repay my Uncle and take care of him in his time of need"!!!
Needless to say, I could no longer hold back my external, as overt tears began flowing freely down my face. As I tried to conceal my sadness, I approached the man and provided a warm touch to show I heard his story and how my heart goes out to him and his Uncle. I wished both a life of PEACE!!
As I reflected on my journey back to the clinic I recall these thoughts: People show pictures in books and on slides to illustrate a point about devastating disease, but PLEASE NEVER forget that behind every picture for effect is a human being who deals with as much emotion as each and every one of us!!! They have feelings, regrets, wishes, desires to bring peace and happiness to others!!!
I thought of how often we and I complain about things. How the complaints are often superficial, and I began to be ashamed of the little things we complain about!!!  Spending time with people who live daily lives with devastating disabilities opens my eyes to the world, the true suffering, and the HUMAN NATURE of all!!!
Thank you Thao for making sure I was invited to attend these meetings and for exposing me to the BEST and TOUGHEST and most EMOTIONAL part of our journey!!!