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Ballsburstin
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You hear it so often, that you just don't believe it anymore. But sometimes, Grandma really does need an operation.
Here's one: First met my TGF's family upcountry last September. Nice people, really went out of their way to make me feel at home (even let me sleep with my TGF downstairs under the mosquito net, so we were able to do a little boom, boom late night). Notable in the family are my TGF's maternal grandparents. I clicked with her grandpa right away; he's a good man, quiet and stalwart. I even found out later that her grandpa pulled my TGF aside to advise her not to let family members "annoy me." Then I met grandma. Really a sweet lady, late 50's or early 60's and still very vital.
One small problem, though. Grandma can't see, just dim shadows. So she is effectively housebound and her husband helps her as best he can. She gets around the house, because she knows were everything is. She doesn't go out much, and doesn't go to the holidays at the temple because she can't see her way around. Her life is becoming increasingly "mai sanuuk" because of this, and it affects her husband as well.
But grandma is really sweet, treated me with respect and kindness, and on the day we headed back to BKK, I took a picture of my TGF sitting between her two grandmothers. Then grandma started crying and held my hand for a long time, saying (so I was told later by my TGF) she was very happy for her granddaughter (even though she couldn't see what a hansum man I was!). I was genuinely moved by this.
On the long drive to BKK, I was kinda haunted by this, and kept thinking, "someday I will repay her grandparents for their kindness and consideration."
Well, I did. Pulled out my Mayo Clinic book, did some research on the web, and asked my TGF a bunch of questions about the history of her grandma's blindness. Then I called my TGF last month and told her to take her grandma to the hospital in Udon Thani and look for advanced cataracts. Sure enough, that's what she had, and surgery would fix it. But the cost was beyond their reach (out of sight, to use a bad pun  ) So I said, if grandma wants to do it, up to her, and I'll pay. Happy to say, she had one eye lens replaced last week, spent a week under observation in the hospital, is now back at home. For the first time in many years, she can see her family again, and will be able to enjoy Songkran with her granddaughter next week. She is "sabaidee mahk mahk" I am told, and will do the other eye in May.
Not really sure why I was moved to do this, not trying to be the Knight in Shining Armor. Maybe it was seeing limbless, sightless, landmine blasted people who were beyond help in Cambodia. Maybe it was her gentle nature and the realization that I wouldn't let my own grandmother spend the remaining years of her life sightless, if I could do something about it. Maybe a combination of things. It just seemed like the right thing to do. There's always more money, but there is never more time.
- Balls
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 1:48 am on April 2, 2003
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Kryptonite
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You are a good man. Let me say that I am sure that they will go out of their way to let you know how much your kindness means to them. They will probably never forget you, and the family will talk about you for generations to come.
Sometimes the stories are true, and it takes kind hearted people like yourself to help out the family.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 2:17 am on April 2, 2003
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FarangBha
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Nice one - a little kindness isn't that hard is it??
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:55 am on April 2, 2003
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thaiprivateeye
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I take it Thai Rak Thai's 30 bt hospital scheme did not apply here then 555 ! [ my stock answer when asked to assist with health bills ]
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 3:01 am on April 2, 2003
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Yurune
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It's a great story...well done....
tpe.....It never seems to cover anything does it?....LOL...I'm dying to use my card and see what happens when a farang rolls up for 30B health care.
Anyone else ever used it?
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 3:14 am on April 2, 2003
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Ballsburstin
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TPE,
LOL.  Nope, the 30B plan didn't cover this one.  In fact, after it was diagnosed, her family asked (at that point, the doc didn't yet know I was behind this), as a couple of other elderly woman in her mooban had taken advantage of similar perks in the past. But the IOL (Intra-Ocular Lenses -- the synthetic replacement lenses) weren't covered as they are rather expensive these days. Funny thing is, the family tried to find a way to do it on the cheap once the diagnosis was confirmed. This is at odds with the classic view that the upcountry family will always try to fleece the farang. I x-checked prices and services at Bumrungrad too, just to be sure, then gave my TGF the green light. 
- Balls.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:01 am on April 2, 2003
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Yurune
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In my experience the classic view is not always the correct one......it's worth knowing it to be aware....but certainly it can be thrown out of the window in many cases...sadly not all of course
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 4:39 am on April 2, 2003
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X
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BallsB....
I cannot imagine not being able to see, and even less so can I imagine knowing it can be treated and not being able to pay for it. Well done to you, and best wishes to grandma for a speedy recovery!
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:20 am on April 2, 2003
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Thin White Duke
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Balls- U da man, very cool. By the way, whats granma look like anyway.. You know I go for the librarian type....HA HA, just jokin.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 2:47 pm on April 2, 2003
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cmore
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You never fail to impress me brother Balls. You are 1 in a million ( Or going by brother TPE's 1 in 6 may be a rare jewel, you are definitely a diamond  ). Peace
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:57 pm on April 2, 2003
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