In June 2015 edition of Reader's Digest magazine there is an article about Jean Dominique Bauby. He was editor in chief of famous Fashion magazine Elle.
He had an stroke which left him completely paralyzed from head to toe. He was deprived of any movement and speech but was mentally alert. Only he could blink his left eyelid. This medical condition is known as Locked in syndrome. A man who was leading a successful life was now lying on hospital bed and was completely dependent on other. He was devastated. Even in this condition he was not ready to live a life of a jellyfish.
As he was unable to speak and only could blink his left eye he could communicate only in 'yes' and 'no'. One blink for yes and two blinks for no. His speech therapist introduced him with a special alphabet card with the frequency of letters used in French so he can communicate in sentences. She used to read letters slowly to him until he blinked once in affirmation. She wrote that letter on a pad and then repeated the process for next letter. In this manner first a word then whole sentence was formed. In this way he started to talk to visitors and his well wishers.
This gave him an idea to write his experiences. He had a contract for a book with a publication house. When he revealed his desire to write a book they hired a freelance editor Claude Mendibil to assist him in this task. She adopted the same method and read letters slowly to Bauby and on each correct letter he blinked once. Bauby composed the whole book in his mind and dictated it with blink of his left eye. He died just two days after realise of his book.
Bauby's story tells us that their is no limit of human spirit. It is indomitable. No matter what is our physical condition, how tough things are going with us if we want we can add meaning to it.
Life is precarious. It should not be wasted in lamentation or self pity.
Don't waste in mundane things. Don't disrespect it by ildulging yourself in destructive ways. Live it in full.
If we give respect to life it will give us respect.
http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/self-improvement/life-is-precarious?track=cntshem
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