I have deep compasion for his survival story, and none of us can know what tortures such a journey internally inflicts -- on the psyche of the survivor. But I would ask that we all also bear in mind the OTHER 99.999 percent of all Africans' experiences of survival, in Africa, as we read of his.
He was flown home on a private jet -- to arguably the world's premier infectious disease treatment / care facility -- then had support groups, stress treatment centers, AA, and literally the best post-acute care Western Medicine can offer. Even still, nearly five years on, he is still deeply shell-shocked.
Imagine what it must be like, to be returned to the dirt footpaths of a small village in DRC, widely feared if not loathed by the largely superstitious former neighbors. No support available -- most survivors there become health volunteers for the WHO ebola care teams. Perhaps continuing to offer acute care to others helps their recovery. Who knows? But it is a near certainty the physical conditions they endure are significantly more arduous than this Texas survivor encountered. In any event, do go read it all -- very thought-provoking, from the above perspective. Here's a bit:
. . . .Gorman believes that [a non-profit he worked for in the DRC,] Partners in Health failed its “moral and ethical duty” to aid his recovery. [Ed. contra-note: being brought back from the dead seems quite a bit of "aid".] He said the organization did not offer any help until he and former colleagues contacted officials there to express concern about his condition.
The organization disputes that, saying it stayed in contact with him over the years, occasionally offering to help him find therapy. The nonprofit’s human resources director also worked to help him secure workers’ compensation insurance for his health-care bills after Gorman was initially turned down, officials there said.
In late 2016 Gorman went to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, though he wasn’t drinking heavily, on the hunch that it was a place where he could air his problems. Someone there referred him to a therapist who specialized in trauma. Gorman began seeing him in late 2016 and still does. . . .
Gorman might also consider that the NIH didn't try to blame him for his infection, as the British authorities initially did, to Paula Cafferkey, trying to strip her nursing license. So. . . we might all bear in mind that whatever we suffer -- certainly there are people in Butembo, DRC are in fact surviving, under far more arduous, violently war-torn conditions. Some times, we probably just ought "to buck up" -- but I understand that is considered an antiquated notion. With all due respect, I will still adhere to it -- in certain cases. Indeed, perhaps he might benefit from a return to the DRC, for perspective.
नमस्ते
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