Much of the current chaos swirling around the treatment of the seriously ill has as its core myths, half-truths, and downright lies. Courage is contagious. The defining moments of history have been immortalized because common men and women inspired others with their courage and together they all accomplished the seemingly impossible. No one and no thing must ever cause us to shirk our duty to a patient who relies on us to fight for him or her. In our private acts of courage, we inspire others who, in turn, will inspire still others to accomplish the seemingly impossible.
Strength has a resolute spirit that stands in spite of overwhelming obstacles.
We can become a source of strength to our patients and their families. They can draw strength from us. If we are willing to hold their disappointments, their fears, their guilt, not succumbing to desperation, even when that is all the patient and family see at that moment. We become an example of strength, which ultimately helps the patients and families develop their own strength. To jump into the unknown is to know that our weakness will be exposed.