HW 27 - Visiting an unwell person

Whenever I step foot on a bus, which is something I rarely do, the front is always reserved for those who are old, unwell or sick. So I figured my way of visiting an unwell person for this assignment would be interacting with a complete stranger who I thought was unwell on a bus. I waited at the crowded bus stop on 14th Union Square for the 14D bus. While waiting for the bus I saw people rushing and cramming themselves into a specific little spot where they thought the bus would stop. But there was one specific person who caught my attention who didn’t waste their time doing what others were doing; she stood there patiently for the bus to arrive. She was a woman who looked as if she was in her late 60's, she had a cane and to me and everyone else she seemed unwell. I positioned myself next to her and started a conversation about how people are too eager to step foot on the bus. Her voice was raspy and she was delighted to have a conversation, I could tell. As the bus arrived some quickly got into the bus, whereas most people and I let this old lady on the bus first.

As I got on the bus and sat myself besides this old lady I talk about, the first subject of our conversation was about our neighborhood. On how the village is so peaceful and creative. She loved to talk and I enjoyed listening because she was a kind and positive individual with allot to say. After 3 stops the conversation got into the comparison between the youth and the old. “As I got older, I got wiser, fewer things worried me". These words I remember exactly from our conversation because she treasured her old age and the life she lived. She did say it was a struggle sometimes to walk around with a cane and not be that healthy physically as she once use to be but it happens she said. she coughed. she didnt have a regular cough but a raspy one, which indicated she was unwell. but i was still so surprised to hear such positive and engaging thoughts come out of her because I usually expect old people on the bus to be rude. Making someone get up out their seat because they better privileges than everyone else and try to take advantage of it. 

This old lady that I talk of is unlike what I expected.  She wasn’t grumpy, didn’t have some sort of slouchy or tired physicality to herself. But she actually wanted to give her seat to a little kid that was begging to be seated. She definitely needed the seat more than him, so I got myself up to give the seat to the little ignorant kid whose parent wasn’t doing a good job. She was vulnerable to being nice, something that many senior citizens do. The enjoyment of having a conversation showed in her tone, it seemed she hadn’t had an interaction with a complete stranger that was intrigued by what she had to say. To me I could see others on a regular day basis walking by the lady, never say nothing, giving her the stink eye for having that seat on a crowded bus. That isn’t right to do but is a very common practice or approach to the unwell. This was a lesson learned. Never look down on someone whose position you might be in one day.

All the insights I gained from sources studied in class like Beth's visit, Tuesdays with Morrie, countless class discussions and Sicko. I noticed an old lady who loved her life, didn’t look down on herself and dealt with the situation she was in. just as Morrie had in Tuesday with Morrie. Which was the reason why many look to him for advice and guidance. she was unwell, I didn’t ask her exactly how, but I drew my own conclusions. She seemed to learn from her years on this earth. And like she said as she got older she got wiser, it’s safe to say that she was prepared or had prepared herself for old age and death. Just as Beth made sure she could cope with the situation as she was dealing with it. overall was a great time, with someone who was unwell.