Give them your hand by CJ
After I finished watching “By My Side“, a Singapore TV series, I felt touched. The drama series portraits a few characters infected with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the problems they face every day and how their family and close friends’ life are affected. In the series, some people discriminate them and stay away from them.
When the main character, Bu-Fan knows he is contracted after having sex with a prostitute, he is unable to face up with the disease. He encounters problems like being rejected by friends, sacked by boss, and neighborhood’s discrimination. At first, the wife is at rage, disappointed with him and wants to divorce with him. His daughter hates because her friends stay away from playing with her and she is kicked out from her swimming class. However, Bu-Fan is always a good husband and father and because of that, his wife forgives and supports him and so does his daughter.
A wise man once told me: when he gives talk to the prisoner in jail, he doesn’t call them criminal. They are not to be tagged criminal because of a crime which they have done. They are responsible for that but shall not carry the name ‘criminal’ for the rest of their life. That statement is very true: everyone should be given a second chance.
The other character, Yu-Hang who is also contracted with AIDS from her boyfriend (who then passed away), spends most of her time helping other with AIDS. Since her boyfriend passed away, she doesn’t want to fall in love again because she knows it will not have fairy tales happiness. She keeps that as secret. In that series, Bu-Fan’s brother falls for her. However, being proposed for many times, she finally tells him the reason why she keeps rejecting him. He is stunned and does hesitate when he is told. Dramatically, the story ends up a happy ending as he never gives up on her.
Although I have not met anyone infected with AIDS in person, but I believe many people have incorrect perception of the AIDS disease and discriminate the patients. Every AIDS victim surely is depressed and dilemma when they know they are contracted. Some are blaming themselves, deeply regretted and begging for a second chance. If we can’t give them a second chance, how would they forgive themselves and go on with their life?
The drawing above was inspired by the drama when Bu-Fan sits on the rooftop of a flat feeling dilemma and yet does not have the courage to end his life. It’s named Give them your hand on the purpose of hoping everyone of us; we can give them our hand without discriminating them. At this very moment, our hands meant so much to them to support and give them courage.
