Stories of Compassion: Going the extra mile

Compassion literally means “to suffer together.” Among emotion researchers, it is defined as the feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering.

Our feature story is about St Franci’s Hospice who showed compassion by going the extra mile for our staff member, Sally Singh’s mother who needed special care when she needed it the most.

While on holiday in Uitenhage, Cape Town, Sally’s 79 year old mother, Wilhemina fell and broke her hip resulting in her going for and emergency operation and could not travel home for another 4- 5 weeks.Since this was Sally’s mom, she wanted to be there but could not because of distance and commitments. It was at this time that she contacted St Franci’s Hospice.

St Francis graciously came to their rescue and supplied Wilhemina with a wheel chair and egg mattress ( which aids the healing of bedsores). Not only did the hospice supply the items on loan, but also delivered it to the residence where it was required. Sally was thankful and grateful for the compassion that St Franci’s Hospice showed her and such acts of kindness should not be left unnoticed.” I am so thankful to the hospice family, who are always willing to go the extra mile to render assistance where needed.” she said.

St Francis Hospice and many others hospices show compassion in ways sometimes unexplainable, question is, what about you?If you have a compassionate story to share, email Shaun Thomas (Marketing Intern): shaun@hpca.co.za

#whocareswedo #compassionatecommunites