A Heart of Gold

First call of the day . . . we are dispatched to pick up a 3-year old to take back home. It is an easy call. The kid went in to the hospital for an insertion of a feeding tube. He was born with anencephaly or absence of brain. He has enough brain function to sustain his life (i.e. breathing, heart rate). His life will be short, but its length cannot be accurately predicted. With his feeding tube, he can theoretically live for many more years. In a way, he reminds me of Terri Schiavo, except that he will be at home being cared for 24-7 by his family.

The amazing thing to this story is he is a foster child. The cynic side of those who are in healthcare will suggest that fostering him brings with it some financial benefits. After all, his healthcare benefits are provided for and his expenses can’t be that much. No need for school clothes, shoes, not even food per se. I suppose that could be true, except his foster parents are filing for adoption. They want to keep him. Wow, right?

Even the harshest critic would doubt his initial opinion after seeing how his legal guardian interacted with him. “Dad,” as we referred to him, was very attentive to him. When the child whimpered or looked the slightest bit troubled, ‘dad’ was touching him, soothing him. When we got to the bedside initially, ‘dad’ was tenderly cleaning him and carefully dressed him warmly for the transport. He asked questions and ensured the child’s comfort. He talked to him with such tenderness and obvious love that even the hardest cynic’s heart will melt.

Meeting people like ‘dad’ strengthens my belief in the goodness of the world and the beneficence of the human spirit. I believe in the goodness of the human heart. ‘Dad’ was living proof. That call left me smiling and thankful that I am alive in this world and all is well.