Rehabilitation is truly a very hard and long road. During these days, every morning when I open my eyes, the same unchanging life begins again. Everything requires someone else's assistance; brushing teeth, washing face, even going to the bathroom all need countless help from others. After everything is taken care of, then comes the hospital rehabilitation sessions: joint movements for the whole body, training of hand and foot strength, all routine business. After rehab class ends, going back to rest, showering, eating follow the same pattern, still needing help from others, still unable to be self‑sufficient, still cannot do whatever one wants at will. After everything is settled, it is the end of the day; with others' help, I finally lie steadily on the hospital bed, welcome sleep, waiting for a tomorrow not much different.
This kind of life, I don’t know where the end point actually is? I don’t know how far the end point is? I even don’t know if there is an end point?
These question marks are probably something most patients who have experienced rehabilitation, or are still on the rehabilitation road, have had. This road is really not easy to walk, it’s really hard to finish it. During these days, there will certainly be frustration, sadness, negativity, hatred toward one’s own life, wondering why this happened. However, after you vent your emotions and calm down, why not change your thinking? When you blame the heavens and others, become self‑destructive, time still passes, the clock on the wall still ticks. So why not settle down, reflect on your past self and present—has anything really changed? Are you still standing still at the starting point? A year ago, you were in the ICU receiving emergency care; now you are in a regular ward preparing for rehab. Six months ago, you might still have tubes attached; now all tubes have been removed, only a clean body remains. A month ago, you could only sit in a wheelchair; now you are holding a cane, training to walk. Look at yourself from a different direction, give yourself more affirmation, you will find you are stronger than you imagined, closer to the end point. So keep confidence, believe in yourself, stride toward the goal, and the end point will arrive unconsciously. You must never lose to yourself.
▲ Photo taken from the hospital’s fan page, posted on September 29, 1111: President visits the hospital for the autumn festival to慰問 Army Aviation Special Forces Sergeant Qin Liangfeng and Private First Class Gao Licheng and two other members (click me to view more content)
