Dr. Paul Ruskin once spoke to his medical students about a patient who couldn’t speak or understand what was said to her. She would babble incoherently for hours on end. She showed complete disregard for her physical appearance. She had to be fed, bathed, and clothed by others. Because she had no teeth, her food had to be pureed. She drooled incessantly and often would wake in the middle of the night screaming. He then asked for volunteers to take care of this person. When no-one responded he said: ‘I’m surprised and saddened.’ He then showed them a photo of his baby daughter.
He did it to remind them that in relationships the key to unlocking life’s possibilities is an open mind. It’s not always what you think you are about to see that’s important. It’s the way you are prepared to look at it