Inspiration -- Ruth Pfau

When I first began composing this essay, the prestige of winning was my driving force. I fantasized scooping the prize money and basking in the glory of my unannounced victory. But those images have almost faded by the time I finished writing this piece last Easter. Now, I just want to say thank you to a great woman who never wished for an award when she began her noble mission in Pakistan many years ago. Her name is Ruth Pfau – nun, doctor, and above all, a woman.

To her adopted country, Dr. Pfau is a symbol of hope. She has given a new lease on life to leprosy patients destined to a life of wretchedness and isolation. To the rest of the world, she is a tireless miracle worker, dedicated to her profession, persistent in her mission, and steadfast in her faith. Truly, Dr. Pfau has given this tired and cynical society the dose of selflessness and heroism that it sorely needs.

Selflessness, now that is a heavy word for ambitious students like us. It’s quite difficult to imagine how selflessness can stand alongside our lofty dreams for wealth and comfort. Especially now that we are almost graduating, our big plans are aligned with what our family and our society deem as lucrative goals to pursue.

But Dr. Pfau was different. She aligned her plans with God’s mission for her. That was one lesson I learned from her – to trust in God’s will. She was a professional doctor who could have lived a comfortable life in the city; yet, she chose to practice her calling in the poorest districts of Pakistan. Her fulfilling life is proof that when we follow God’s will for us, we gain more than we ever hoped for. I find this realization very meaningful as I start charting my future. I think I should pray more and ask what God wants me to do so I can channel my talents to serve Him and at the same time enjoy what life has to offer.

For those who are trekking the path of a medical career like Dr. Pfau, life is doubly demanding. I should know because I have an older sister who is studying to be a doctor. Believe it or not, reading about Dr. Pfau’s life and work helped me love her more.

Most of the time, I cannot comprehend the challenges she is undergoing as a medical student. She joins medical missions to far-flung provinces where doctors are scarce. Upon her return, she narrates incidents of bloody operations; frankly, I do not appreciate it always since I am scared of blood. What I do know is that her expensive tuition fee eats a big chunk of the family budget and that affects us all.

My negative attitude changed when I surfed the Internet and found that there were 3,650 entries under Dr. Pfau’s name. I did not realize how much hope one doctor can bring in a region hungry for healing. This, in turn, is translated to thousands of articles which inspire people like me to become more supportive of doctors. I reflected on the future of my sister and the difference she will bring by being an excellent surgeon someday. Now that is not so hard to understand. Slowly, I am seeing the wonderful transformation this vocation will bring to my sister.

But the most profound thing I learned from Dr. Pfau was that I should celebrate my womanhood. I distinctly recall that when she delivered her acceptance speech, she said "… they forgot to say I am a woman." Those words really stunned me. I AM A WOMAN. I have often thought that being a woman was a given factor that need not be mentioned anymore. But here was Dr. Pfau proudly stressing that above all of her achievements, she was a woman, strong and beautiful inside and out.

I noticed also that only twenty percent, or about 47 out of 229 Ramon Magsaysay awardees, are women. That made each award given to women doubly important. This award, therefore, serves as a platform for the strong female voice to be heard and recognized in Asia and the world.

Dr. Pfau was right all along. We women do not have to win awards to illustrate the importance of women in the communities where we live. I myself belong to a family of strong-willed women who have molded me to become loving and responsible. I was educated in a college with a largely female faculty who instilled excellence and humility in me. In all these instances, I see women nurturing, teaching, sacrificing, healing and loving. Womanhood has the power to bring about peace and change.

Dr. Pfau has focused not only in curing leprosy patients but also in healing and empowering them. I admire her determination in working to remove the public’s fear of leprosy. The courage she shows when interacting with patients reminds me of medical workers in many parts of the world who are risking their lives by caring for patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Dr. Pfau has proven that her profession means more than dispensing medical advice. It is about healing the total person.

It is strange that a woman I have never met can have such transformative effect on me. In a way, she has healed me too. Her examples and her words of wisdom have changed some twisted beliefs that I used to have. By helping me gain the right perspective on love, work and family, I believe now that I am more prepared to carry out God’s mission for me.

Indeed, I have realized that winning the top prize and basking in the glory of victory is just a fleeting fancy. What I understand more clearly now is that one life- even my own humble life – can be a flicker of hope in a sea of despair.

One dedicated life can truly make a difference.

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