More than half a year ago, Mr. Yang fell from a high place at a site. His entire spine was deformed and his brain was damaged. Unfortunately, these serious injuries were only discovered later, since there were no obvious injuries when he fell.
During this half year, Mr. Yang has been wearing a back frame, day and night. Once taken down, he would feel pain and cannot move.
Because of this serious injury, Mr. Yang has spent all his small savings. House rent has not been paid; the landlord threatened to drive him out of the house many times. Having no wife and family, he bears the operation and medical expenses by himself, and borrows money from friends for his daily living needs. He can no longer even pay for his engineer's license fee, which was eventually cancelled by the union.
Mr. Yang told the social worker, "Now I cannot move my body, also cannot sleep, only pain, just want to die..."
In order to assist Mr. Yang, social workers have been assisting in the search for resources, coordinating with the District Office, the county and municipal social welfare centers, and the legal units. Even the hospital social worker is very earnest in helping Mr. Yang to stabilize his long-term medical expenses.
However, the doctor assessed that Mr. Yang's spinal injury required a second spinal surgery.
The social workers believe that further careful consideration should be given to this high-risk spinal surgery since the neural distribution is dense. But Mr. Yang calmly decided to undergo the operation.
"I am now too old and disabled for a lifetime. I know there is a risk in surgery, but I want to take a chance.” When discussing with Mr. Yang at the hospital, he said, "The doctor said that the success rate is very high. If successful, I can take off the back frame, find a lighter job, can support myself and no need to rely on subsidies." 」
Although he has experienced so much pain, was once discouraged, cannot sleep day and night, Mr. Yang still thinks of his future. After recuperation from the operation, he can take off the back frame, let go of the walker, and the day will come when he can stand up on his own.
His eyes shows firmness and determination.
This "stand up" does not only have a physical meaning, but also carries with it Mr. Yang's expectation that he will live an ordinary life in the future.
The Rerum Novarum Center has been serving workers injured by occupational disasters for a long time. Many more workers like Mr. Yang, even if they have been badly hurt, they still hold on to a glimmer of hope, that one day, they will be able to stand up again with their own strength.
The Rerum Novarum Center is a social service center dedicated to caring for the disadvantaged in the workplace, promoting the sharing of resources in a good society, helping the exploited and unjustly treated vulnerable groups.
We invite you to become their guardian. Your donation will help these powerless people walk away from distress, gain access to rights and assistance.
Please press "I want to donate" or call telephone number (02)2397-1933 ext. 122. Thank you for your response and support!