the strong involuntary muscle contractions grip Choden’s legs like a vice, pushing them into a pointed-toe, straight-leg position, or pulling them into a tight crouch. The harder Choden concentrates herself, the more her muscles play havoc. Nothing can be done but to wait for them to relax in their own time.
Eventually when the tension slackens, Choden is able to put her legs into a reasonable position through stiff, jerky kicks.
Still, Choden is eager to keep trying, and after a short rest, we again attempt a meaningful movement, this time more slowly. Initially, it looks as if we could succeed. Then, completely unexpectedly, I feel Choden’s legs tighten, and before I can react she has kicked me against the wall. My hip bangs against the iron bar of the suspension frame, and loud rattling echoes through the room. Embarrassed, Choden apologises, and I can see that she is now ready to give up.
Through Pema I try to reassure her, try to tell her that it does not matter at all. How can I make her understand that I am the one who feels silly? I should have been prepared.
I promise myself to watch out the next time.
In full concentration, we continue for another twenty minutes. Finally, we find a solution. Bending Choden’s knees to 90 degrees and pushing the soles of her feet with an even pressure onto the bed seems to interrupt the constant waves of spasm. Choden smiles through her exhaustion.
Perspiration has plastered her hair against her forehead, and little rivulets of sweat are running down her cheeks.
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B U T T E R T E A A T S U N R I S E
Choden’s mother disappears to fetch a glass of water.
Yeshey climbs onto the bed and lays her head on Choden’s stomach. Tenderly, the two whisper to each other. Then Choden laughs and brushes a curl off Yeshey’s forehead.
I am touched as I watch the closeness and confidence between mother and daughter, and ponder the stormy weather that must have strengthened this trusting bond.
Just like Lhamo, Choden and her family live in a small village far away from Mongar. A trip to the hospital is like a voyage to a different continent. At home, her parents and her husband run the farm and Choden is left to herself for most of the day. She gets around the house by sliding along the floor, pulling herself with the help of her arms. Still, her happy spirits do not seem to suffer. Now she is joking with Yeshey, and together they tackle her transfer to the wheelchair.
Encouraged by our modest success, I plan my treatment strategy. I want to help Choden to walk. Her body is strong, and she is a determined woman. Somehow we will make it; we will find a way. I ask Choden to come back tomorrow morning, first thing before rounds, so that we can divide the treatment into two shorter sessions. Upon my arrival in Mongar, the DMO had enquired if I needed anything else, and now I know what is missing: a set of parallel bars! We need a solid grip for each hand to help Choden stand up, and a narrow walkway to prevent a fall. There is enough space along the far wall of the exercise room to accommodate a bar of ten-step length. Just long enough.
And we need a mirror. Choden has to see herself stand; she has to see that it is possible.
I explain my ideas to Pema. ‘Do you think we could find a really tall mirror?’
‘Why not!’ Pema answers enthusiastically. All signs of her previous wariness have vanished.
‘You should speak to ADM.’
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C H O D E N
Shortly thereafter, I discuss my plan with the hospital’s administration, and the ADM sends Arup, man of all trades, to assess the situation. We agree that for the parallel bars we will use a couple of old pipes and make a base out of wooden boards. Immediately, Arup asks me for an exact drawing of what I
Eventually when the tension slackens, Choden is able to put her legs into a reasonable position through stiff, jerky kicks.
Still, Choden is eager to keep trying, and after a short rest, we again attempt a meaningful movement, this time more slowly. Initially, it looks as if we could succeed. Then, completely unexpectedly, I feel Choden’s legs tighten, and before I can react she has kicked me against the wall. My hip bangs against the iron bar of the suspension frame, and loud rattling echoes through the room. Embarrassed, Choden apologises, and I can see that she is now ready to give up.
Through Pema I try to reassure her, try to tell her that it does not matter at all. How can I make her understand that I am the one who feels silly? I should have been prepared.
I promise myself to watch out the next time.
In full concentration, we continue for another twenty minutes. Finally, we find a solution. Bending Choden’s knees to 90 degrees and pushing the soles of her feet with an even pressure onto the bed seems to interrupt the constant waves of spasm. Choden smiles through her exhaustion.
Perspiration has plastered her hair against her forehead, and little rivulets of sweat are running down her cheeks.
85
Buttertea at Sunrise_PROOF.indd 85
Buttertea at Sunrise_PROOF.indd 85
13/01/2006 14:59:12
13/01/2006 14:59:12
B U T T E R T E A A T S U N R I S E
Choden’s mother disappears to fetch a glass of water.
Yeshey climbs onto the bed and lays her head on Choden’s stomach. Tenderly, the two whisper to each other. Then Choden laughs and brushes a curl off Yeshey’s forehead.
I am touched as I watch the closeness and confidence between mother and daughter, and ponder the stormy weather that must have strengthened this trusting bond.
Just like Lhamo, Choden and her family live in a small village far away from Mongar. A trip to the hospital is like a voyage to a different continent. At home, her parents and her husband run the farm and Choden is left to herself for most of the day. She gets around the house by sliding along the floor, pulling herself with the help of her arms. Still, her happy spirits do not seem to suffer. Now she is joking with Yeshey, and together they tackle her transfer to the wheelchair.
Encouraged by our modest success, I plan my treatment strategy. I want to help Choden to walk. Her body is strong, and she is a determined woman. Somehow we will make it; we will find a way. I ask Choden to come back tomorrow morning, first thing before rounds, so that we can divide the treatment into two shorter sessions. Upon my arrival in Mongar, the DMO had enquired if I needed anything else, and now I know what is missing: a set of parallel bars! We need a solid grip for each hand to help Choden stand up, and a narrow walkway to prevent a fall. There is enough space along the far wall of the exercise room to accommodate a bar of ten-step length. Just long enough.
And we need a mirror. Choden has to see herself stand; she has to see that it is possible.
I explain my ideas to Pema. ‘Do you think we could find a really tall mirror?’
‘Why not!’ Pema answers enthusiastically. All signs of her previous wariness have vanished.
‘You should speak to ADM.’
86
Buttertea at Sunrise_PROOF.indd 86
Buttertea at Sunrise_PROOF.indd 86
13/01/2006 14:59:12
13/01/2006 14:59:12
C H O D E N
Shortly thereafter, I discuss my plan with the hospital’s administration, and the ADM sends Arup, man of all trades, to assess the situation. We agree that for the parallel bars we will use a couple of old pipes and make a base out of wooden boards. Immediately, Arup asks me for an exact drawing of what I
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