If Only I Had Known?

Have you ever come to a point where you exclaimed: If only I had known! Perhaps, may be or maybe not. If you were to come to this point, would you change your reaction?  Most of us do hope so. But do we? This is a challenge blog for you to try to act right the first time around.

Sometimes, we may truly be confused, ignorance or unaware of inhumane behavior in our communities. But at other times, we may well be aware of abusive situations and choose not to do anything. Whatever the decision we make, we should all be boggled by our conscience. The decisions we make can make a huge difference. We may save a life, prevent harm or even lose it altogether.

Take for instance this recent story in the news that seems to bewilder most of us. For those who may not have heard about it, let me briefly restate the incident. On November 15th, 2012, a miscarrying 31 year old Indian woman died in a Galway hospital, Ireland while seeking an abortion.  Savita Halappanavar died after doctors denied her an abortion due to Ireland laws that are on the verge of banning abortions totally.  In an attempt to save the fetus that was not even likely to survive, the mother’s life was lost. Instead, the doctors who claim to have been fearful of the laws of the land left her with an infection leading to her death.  Learn more at http://www.cnn.com/2012/.

Unfortunately, the obvious decision to save life wasn’t any more obvious. Decisions like these are made even more difficult when religious matters are involved. In the process, two lives were lost. Is this abuse? Who is to blame here? I think many individuals share in the blame. Everyone in the hospital knew that it was an injustice to endanger the mother's life. And yet, they let things slide. Do you really need a God to tell you to save a life?

 I admit that this is probably an extreme example. However, there are numerous forms of abuse that we experience in our communities all the time which we say nothing to when we should.  Some of us have probably suspected that a woman, a parent, the elderly or a neighbor is being abused. And yet, all we do is watch and wait and hope that it all would somehow stop. Sometimes in the process of waiting, someone has lost a life, dignity, childhood or ended up living with serious psychological trauma. 

 In my blog today, I want to appeal to all of you who are witnessing abuse in one form or another to do something about it. Refer those individuals in need of help to counseling, authorities or at least tell someone who is likely to do something about it. Meanwhile, if you have any experience where you witnessed an abuse and found yourself conflicted and unable to do anything, kindly share with us on our blog. You never, know, someone may just learn something about it.

 As usual, remember at WISO, we do not judge the victims. We offer everyone an opportunity to share and be listened to. We hope to educate each other. We ask that we do this discretely.  Remember to visit our website at www.wiso2011.org, like our Facebook and share with our community. We appreciate your support. Remember, it takes just one to make a change. You have the power, use it. Do what is right. Follow your conscience and be blessed. Remember, no religion in the world supports abuse. Do not be misled.