Posted by Karl Morsbach on 10th December 2007
Suphranee Lekgratok was a 39 year old woman from Pitsanalok who came to BaanGerda looking for a job as housemother. Her husband had died and she was HIV-infected. Unfortunately, she became very sick shortly after she arrived and was diagnosed with tuberculosis and meningitis. By this time she had no parental role yet.
Under guidance from the doctor, we isolated her in our clinic and then attempted to give her the necessary treatment. Her condition deteriorated rapidly and her prognosis was very poor. We had no past experience with dying adults in BaanGerda, and my wife and I assumed that our staff and house parents would expect us to send her to the close-by AIDS hospice.
Since this woman had opted to choose BaanGerda as her new home we thought it appropriate to let her stay with us for whatever time she had left. How could we persuade our families and staff to allow this woman to remain in their village? We were worried that they would not agree so we called for a meeting to deal with this urgent matter. What happened in this meeting convinced us that the special spirit of the village was understood and shared. Before we could voice our concern, the staff and parents pleaded with us “please do not send her away. We want to take care of her”
Isn’t it beautiful when you feel understood in this way? Suphranee finally found a family that she could be part of. When she died a few days later, she was not alone.
December 12th, 2007 at 10:57 pm
Another very stong story and a balancing item to contrast with the also very sad story of the disturbed youngster who you couldn’t cope with at Baan Gerda.
One small point which applies also to earlier stories …….. would it be possible please for the authorship of the articles to be attributed ( e.g this story refers to ‘my wife and I’ and because I know a little about the background I’m assuming this means Karl and his wife).
Best wishes with all your good work.
December 14th, 2007 at 11:48 am
Although I haven’t been to Baan Gerda, I have found your stories very interesting espeically this one about the mother who died. It is heartening to know that there are people who are doing this work
December 14th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Thank you for writing this moving story. hope I can see Baan Gerda sometime
December 18th, 2007 at 8:48 am
This is good she find somewhere that care for her. You are doing wonderfull job