Empathy story

        For the interview, I decided to interview one of my classmates in China, actually, several, but I picked this one because the others does not really talk about their actual stories, maybe because that they are uncomfortable talking about their personal stories or such. But anyways. I asked one of my classmates from my elementary school about the most memorable experience and the way she lived through her days. You may think these questions are weird and does not understand why I say so but here’s the thing, she is born early and has the disease of brain palsy. In my memory, she can barely control her body, she is so skinny and always require the help of others to even walk. There is always people there to help her and sometimes, she need us to help her move. Well I feel bad for her and I was one of the people who helped her when we were still elementary school students. But after the school ends, we no longer talk to each other and almost lost contact. Recently I called my teacher and get contact with her once again. I asked her what are the most happy and satisfying moment of her days and how she made through these days.

        She told me that she always tries to live happily but she is often times sad when she is alone at home. People around her look at her as if she is different, “and I know I am” she said. She often feels like most people around her only helps her and gives her special treatments because they only feel pity, as I used to do. But she said, she understand why and tries to comfort me. Anyways, she told me that the most happy and satisfying moment is when she finally meet a person, who treats her as a common person, she wants to become her friend only because she likes her, and she can feel it. They go out together and they even tried to skate for fun. I am so proud of her and feel happy for her to finally find someone that is so wise and graceful to embrace her flaws with her own personality.

        Also she told me, when she was sad, she often stayed in her room alone, sometime she cries because she feels as if she is isolated and there is no one to actually listen to her. But at least now, she has her best friend, she is there for her.

        Upon finishing the interview, I really discovered how much I hurt her even though I was only an elementary student while at the same time, I thought, I was “helping” her. Yes, the physical help is important, what is more important is the idea of accepting and embracing. The way we try to “help” others may also become others’ scar.

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