I was wondering if anybody could really see me?
Have you ever felt invisible? Have you ever wondered why people couldn't hear you or see you? I have often wondered that! Sometimes we feel invisible and it is only ourselves and God who truly know our heart.
I came across a women in need this past week while volunteering for Donor Network in Phoenix. When I first arrived she rolled up to the table in a wheelchair and quietly asked about donation and what it meant? She was more than willing to sign up and give to someone that may need the gift of life. We talked for a few minutes and I found this soft spoken woman a delight and we chatted for a few minutes about the things women chat about...nothing and everything. She was waiting for a cab to pick her up and take her home. Her name was Alice.
I could see she wasn't being heard and felt invisible sitting in her wheelchair with her left swollen foot elevated and trying to keep her composure. It was one of those days to pay attention to those around you and see if anyone may need assistance. This was the day to give a voice to someone who didn't have the right words, the strength or the patience to vent her frustration and explain what she needed.
I watched her for awhile and took note that 30 or 40 minutes had passed and no one had come for her. I asked and she said she didn't have a phone to call the company, so I offered mine. The company said another 15 minutes and someone would be there! She would roll her wheelchair and herself outside frantically looking for the cab so she wouldn't miss it! But she was told the driver would come in and get her.
The time passed slowly as she waited, and waited. I gave her my phone 3 more times in the time frame which now became 2 hours. She had been waiting for two hours for someone that should have come within 30 minutes of the call.
Now I was annoyed and could feel her frustration and pain. She was exhausted, crying and just wanted to go home. I understood her plight. Sometimes we lose our voices and our strength and just want someone to help us. As a patient waiting for a kidney transplant, I had many days of feeling invisible and helpless.
So I called the company, made some much needed verbal noise and finally received some action. By the time the cab arrived Alice could barely speak and her pain had become more than annoying. The cab driver had no sense of people or their needs. I helped her into the cab and told the driver to assist with her wheelchair and take her home.
It was a frustrating day for Alice but a good day to be an advocate. We can all be an advocate for something or someone. That is one of the reasons we are here, to help one another, love one another and give voice to those who have lost theirs.
Find an Alice in your life and give them a voice. You'll be glad you did.
Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all times you can. To all the people you can, As long as ever you can...John Wesley
Don't be selfish...Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself. Philippians 2:3 TLB
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