Justin Langer writes that, The impossible is actually possible
No wonder I don't bother reading his articles.
Sorry, mate but it's impossible because... it is *not* possible.
Langer likes to be inspirational, good on him. And sometimes inspirational where he has no knowledge. Or no skills. Or... no useful advice.
Today, I think, he's wandering round the kids' cancer wards (it is Telethon weekend.)
I hope that he is *not* saying, to the kids or to their parents, Sure it's impossible but we *will* actually cure you. False hope which may make it even worse when the kid, inevitably, dies.
This would be better:
There is no cure, *yet*. So it is impossible to cure you... but...
We are working on a cure. Not on time to help you, sorry. Perhaps the next generation will be cured... Meanwhile...
We work -- with you -- to make your life as comfortable, pleasant or just as bearable -- as possible.
Your life is awful... we will do our best -- whatever is possible -- to make your life just a little bit less awful. But we will not forget... Perhaps a cure will be possible... but not yet.
Honest comfort... much harder but so much better than... self-comforting lies.
Perhaps that's just me.
I'm an adult. The surgeon told me, You will die of this cancer. When, can't be predicted. You may not even leave this hospital, alive.
Not an easy answer -- but it allowed me to cope, to (attempt to) deal with my impossible-to-cure situation. Yes, impossible to cure.
abut that's just me. I prefer the truth.
Even a child does not deserve outright lies.
Dr Nick Lethbridge / Consulting Dexitroboper
half blind, half deaf, dying of cancer,
So what.
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