A Cape Town paediatrician has the internet catching feels after posting responses from terminally ill children about what they enjoyed most about life. Dr Alastair McAlpine posed the questions to the children as part of an assignment. The words of wisdom from the children turned out to be life lessons for the hundreds who responded to the tweets and praised McAlpine. Among the responses were that they all loved ice cream, kindness and books. Others were more specific about their favourites things like Batman, Harry Potter and Princess Sophie. None of them, according to McAlpine, wished they watched more TV, spent more time on Facebook or fighting. Many of the children wished they had spent less time worrying about what others thought of them. “My real friends didn’t care when my hair fell out‚” and “Jane came to visit after the surgery and didn’t even notice the scar.”
For an assignment, I asked some of my terminal paediatric palliative care patients what they had enjoyed in life, and what gave it meaning. Kids can be so wise, y’know. Here are some of the responses (Thread).
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
First: NONE said they wished they’d watched more TV NONE said they should’ve spent more time on Face Book NONE said they enjoyed fighting with others NONE enjoyed hospital /1
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
MANY mentioned their pets: ‘I love Rufus, his funny bark makes me laugh.’ ‘I love when Ginny snuggles up to me at night and purrs’ ‘I was happiest riding Jake on the beach.’ /2
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
MANY mentioned their parents, often expressing worry or concern: ‘Hope mum will be ok. She seems sad.’ ‘Dad mustn’t worry. He’ll see me again soon.’ ‘God will take care of my mum and dad when I’m gone’ /3
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
ALL of them loved ice-cream. /4
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
ALL of them loved books or being told stories, especially by their parents: ‘Harry Potter made me feel brave.’ ‘I love stories in space!’ ‘I want to be a great detective like Sherlock Holmes when I’m better!’
Folks, read to your kids! They love it. /5 — Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Many of them loved swimming, and the beach. ‘I made big sandcastles!’ ‘Being in the sea with the waves was so exciting! My eyes didn’t even hurt!’ /7
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Almost ALL of them valued kindness above most other virtues: ‘My granny is so kind to me. She always makes me smile.’ ‘Jonny gave me half his sandwich when I didn’t eat mine. That was nice.’ ‘I like it when that kind nurse is here. She’s gentle. And it hurts less’ /8
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Almost ALL of them loved people who made them laugh: ‘That magician is so silly! His pants fell down and I couldn’t stop laughing!’ ‘My daddy pulls funny faces which I just love!’ ‘The boy in the next bed farted! Hahaha!’
Laughter relieves pain. /9 — Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Kids love their toys, and their superheroes. ‘My Princess Sophia doll is my favourite!’ ‘I love Batman!’ (All the boys love Batman) ‘I like cuddling my teddy’ /10
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Finally, they ALL valued time with their family. Nothing was more important. ‘Mum and dad are the best!’ ‘My sister always hugs me tight’ ‘No one loves me like mummy loves me!’ /11
— Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Take home message: Be kind. Read more books. Spend time with your family. Crack jokes. Go to the beach. Hug your dog. Tell that special person you love them.
These are the things these kids wished they could’ve done more. The rest is details. Oh… and eat ice-cream. /End — Alastair McAlpine (@AlastairMcA30) February 1, 2018
Picture: Pixabay