Recently, I have found my new interest of watching documentaries in ARTS Central to gain new knowledge and exposure. Most importantly, it is free of charge. Anyway, I like to watch the show named “The Human Spirit” on Monday.
It talks about a few unique people who look vastly different from us. Last last Monday, the show featured a man known as Joseph, who had a tumour in his mouth. Since teenage years till the age of 51 when the show was broadcasted, the tumour had spread from his mouth, engulfing his nose and one of his eyes. As a result, his face looked much distorted and he was dubbed as the “faceless man”. People shunned away from his “monster” looks. He couldn’t work for all his life because of this strange ailment plus people consider him as an "outcast". In the beginning of the show, he hoped that somebody can treat his illness completely, restoring his facial looks. The show described his life every day. He mentioned that eating to him was difficult due to the big growth over his face. He had to be careful with the tumour as the skin was very fragile and was prone to bleeding. Once it bled, it was difficult to stop it. He consulted several doctors with his sister and most of them advised surgery for him to remove the growth. Blood transfusion was needed in the surgery to minimise the risks. However, his religion did not allow him to have blood transfusion. Facing the dilemma on whether to continue with the surgery or abide by his religion, eventually, he chose religion. I admire his sister selfless care for him for decades and perhaps is still continuing for years to come since he has made that decision.
Dede, a man living in Indonesia had contracted a disease that had resulted to “roots or tree branches” like thingy sprouting from his hands and feet. He looked like a “Half Man, Half Tree.” His “tree branches” seemed to spread from his hands to his lower arms as the years went by. In addition, his whole body is manifesting warts which seemed to be unstoppable. He used to be fishing when he was able to use his hands. During the time when the show was broadcasted, he was unable to utilise his hands even for eating, much less for fishing as the "tree roots" has sprouted from his hands and extended to his arms. He had to depend on a straw to drink liquids and someone to help feed him. He hoped that somebody could cure him so that he could earn a living by fishing to feed his family. He had two kids. So currently, he worked in a clan where people with strange features gathered to perform for the audience for money. A renowned dermatologist visited him after knowing his peculiar disease and offered to treat him. So, he took some samples from him and his family members and confirmed that the disease is warts which are caused by a virus. The virus was able to manifest in Dede’s body due to his weak immune system. There was a cure for Dede but till now he had not taken up the offer.
This show has led me to reflect and wonder that if I am Dede with tree like structures over my arms and feet, I will be hoping somebody will be able to cure me. But then again, if I am afflicted with this strange ailment for decades and I have somehow accustomed to it, suddenly, somebody offers you a cure that can change your life supposedly for the better, I may think twice. The reason is the change is too great or drastic for me to handle. For Dede’s case, he may have to relearn how to use his hands even after the "roots" have "disappeared". He will have to relearn how to use his feet. There is still a long journey ahead and many things for him to learn for a “complete cure” and life as a normal human being. Perhaps that’s the reason I think why Dede has not made up his decision to have his disease cured. For Joseph, he faced a dilemma and he had made a choice. To some, he might not have made the right choice but let's respect his conviction for his religion. Based on the two scenarios written above, both men have strange ailments or illness, both wanted to get cured but in the end, one didn’t want to get completely cured while the other has not made up his mind yet.
