There are many things in life over which we have no control and illness is one of these. During the harrowing moments when illness is taking a heavy toll on our health or on the health of our dear ones, we feel depressed, helpless and disillusioned. It seems to us that the world has come to a standstill especially if health professionals tell us that there is no hope and that nothing can be done that can allay our suffering. Instead of allowing anxiety to get the better of us, we must take charge of our life and look out for ways and means of improving our well being.

To help ourselves to recover from a debilitating disease, we must above all adopt a positive attitude because an optimistic frame of mind helps to boost up our immune system. Another effective way of seeking help is to talk to people who have experienced the same ailments and who have subsequently been healed. The valuable advice of these people will give us renewed hope, courage and the will to fight back. On the other hand, we can surf the web, read articles and books related to the disease, thus exploring for possibilities of treatment.

People who have gone through chronic illness which has drained them physically and financially change drastically for the better: they become more sensitive to others’ woes, they value social relationships, they revel in simple pleasures of life and their faith in God grows stronger. Besides, they refrain from mulling over trivial matters and pursuing material dreams. Such people often set up support groups or organisations to assist others. They wholeheartedly and selflessly devote their time, energy and resources to providing first-hand information, emotional and psychological support and even financial help to those who happen to be afflicted by the same disease which they have luckily overcome.

Life is a precious gift and it must be lived to the fullest. Illness is part and parcel of our life. It must be handled with patience and perseverance. Shutting ourselves off from others, wallowing in self pity and cultivating a pessimistic outlook will only make matters worse.

<B>Rukaiya DOOREEMEAH</B>