Follow me on Twitter Charles K. Kao (高錕), Nobel Prize, and fibre optics, etc. When the world is rejoicing for Dr. Kao, I also found this piece of news very ironic – that Dr. Kao is suffereing from Alzheimer’s disease, a common type of dementia. As a result, Dr. Kao does not recall his astonishing achievement. I am sure I am not the only one who feels this irony. However, what really touched me was a comment made by Mrs. Kao, after she has learnt that Professor Kao was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a few years ago:
「因為你知道這個人以前是怎樣，這個病將他改變，以前那個人已經走了，不再在這裏，哭也哭過一段日子，現在習慣了，知道這個人不再是以前那個人。」(rough translation: There was this person you have known all your life. But this very disease has changed him. He who you used to know is now gone, no longer here. Tears are now dry. I have to get used to the fact that he is now gone, this person here is not the same person anymore.)
Seriously, this brought tears. I know that there are many incurable and horrible illnesses in the world. However, dementia will take away a person’s mind. Just the very thought terrifies me! Cancer patients will know the love and care their families give them; so do AIDS patients, and any other kinds of patients. But dementia! Can you imagine the person that you are close to slowly fades away right in front of your eyes? The person you used to love and share every moment with is slowly walking away from your life? Ouch! I can’t even stand the thought of it!
So, the silly me promised myself to be even nicer to my love ones, who knows what tomorrow will bring? 珍惜眼前人。
A book from Prof. Kao
