At the beginning of March, I read a thread on social media by the writer Josie George. It took my breath away.
She has been chronically ill her whole life, and because of that she has had to stay inside for many years. Josie describes her life as “small but rich”. However, recently she’s felt angry, and finally worked out why.
In the past, people had acted as if her life—contained in her home—was not a big deal. Now, however, as society experiences something similar, Josie reflects that “suddenly it’s a huge deal.”
She wasn’t dismissive of the challenges we are all facing. Far from it. She writes movingly about things that may help, but the point she was making is important, and should be talked about. For many, many people – staying at home is the norm. Isolation is the norm.
Josie’s story resonated with me, because our lives have become incredibly small over the past eight years or so, due to our daughter’s illness. Like Josie, my daughter has been angry. Indeed, I have had this conversation with a fair few people who live with disability and chronic health problems, and pretty much everyone I have spoken to has felt the anger…
Suddenly, it is NOW possible to socialise, work, and study online – whereas before they were told it was impossible!
The Prophet implored his followers to prioritise the old, the sick, and the needy, by, for example, shortening congregational prayers, and when walking together to go at the pace of the weakest. But it is not always easy in a fast-paced society.
But ever the optimist – I remain hopeful for us all. Maybe this time of social distancing and quarantine could help society as a whole gain a much-needed insight into the lives of the vulnerable. Maybe the awareness will lead to a new understanding and empathy. We are seeing huge community initiatives, and a sense of neighbourliness.
Soon we’ll enjoy five BBC radio stations coming together as one for a national sing along. We see volunteering like never before. Care and compassion and empathy at scale! We are seeing that change IS possible if we have the will to achieve it.
I just hope we can remember all of this once these times have passed… And they will pass…
Broadcast 2nd April 2020 on BBC Radio 2
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p088fths
Photo by Noah Silliman on Unsplash
