Aha! A fresh and lovely morning! Teena (name changed) threw her hands up and down in the air as she came out into the courtyard to relish the newness of the morning. She had slept well that night and that was a great success for her! It is a year and a half since she is suffering from depression and is under medication. Her need to take medicine itself aggravates her helplessness and anger. At the age of 56 she misses her children who are settled abroad. She feels too tired to get up in the morning, to cook meals or to do any work. All her skills and education seem to be a mere waste. She doubted if her husband loved her at all with those wrinkles appearing on her face and hands.
I have been reaching out to Teena for a while now. Also, with a few other women in their late middle age and older, who go through immense stress; a battered wife even at the age of 63 years, a mother with a 22-year-old daughter with Down Syndrome, a widow struggling to bring up her children, families with heavy bank loans and some others submerged in loneliness and fear as they are left alone at home. If only one could touch their lives in some small ways!
Women at this age group became a priority for the two of us Good Shepherd Sisters as we found them as a stuck, hidden and ignored group in the so-called developed society in Kerala. This awareness paved the way for a new beginning. A Day Care Centre was initiated to accompany the elder women. This new venture in consultation with the needy in itself was empowering for all. We welcome them cordially; have a lot of games, sing-songs, dance, creativity session, relaxation besides counseling and group work. Just three months since its establishment, this Centre proves to be an effective forum for unconditional support, wellness and empowerment for the attendees.
Sr. (Dr) Shalini Podimattam RGS
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