Story of civil servant helping hearing-impaired, elderly man with cancer goes viral

A story about a public official assisting an elderly man with a hearing impairment for a year so he could receive cancer treatment has gone viral online as of Sunday.

A post titled “A letter received after accompanying a sick elderly man for one year” was shared across multiple online communities over the weekend. The original post was anonymously posted a year ago on the workplace discussion forum Blind.

The writer, in that post, recounted his one-year relationship with an elderly man who had hearing difficulties and had been diagnosed with cancer. Having no family or relatives to assist him, the man was unable to receive cancer treatment because of difficulties communicating with hospital staff and doctors.

The civil servant, who worked at a district office, recalled that the man struggled to express himself but desperately sought help, writing that the district office was his only resort.

“I couldn’t turn him away, so I became his eyes, ears, hands and feet -– taking care of everything from medical screenings and hospital admissions to surgery arrangements and doctor consultations for a year.”

The cancer treatment, however, didn’t go well, and the man, weakened, was eventually admitted to a nursing hospital. Before his hospitalization, he gave the official a handwritten letter and a box of ripe peaches as a token of his gratitude.

In the letter, the elderly man wrote, “I am grateful for your kindness and will never forget it. I feel sorry that this little gift is all I can give in return. Please enjoy the fruit with your colleagues, and I hope you stay healthy and happy.”

Not long after receiving the present, the official learned of the man’s passing. “Even if I could go back, I would do the same. If something similar happens in the future, I won't hesitate to help again.”

The original post received more than 600 comments praising the official’s kindness and dedication.