By compassion we make others’ misery our own, and so, by relieving them we relieve ourselves also. –Thomas Browne, Sr.
In September, I wrote about compassion fatigue–the way it can be hard for us to maintain concern for people in pain throughout the world without become overwhelmed. I also reposted a letter from Juli at the Living Room about Osoro, a young boy whose cancer had nearly overtaken his face.
Since then, a lot has improved for Osoro, and I wanted to share it here to remind us all that compassionate action is a vehicle of hope, not only for people like Osoro, but for our own selves.
I wonder if perhaps compassion fatigue is fueled in part by hopelessness. But throughout the world, seemingly hopeless situations are changing because people do not stop acting.
So the action is important not just for those in pain who receive care, but for the caregiver, who may otherwise be inclined to give up.
Left: Osoro in September, with his mother. Right: Osoro in January.
