One day, Lisa Capaldini, a young intern in the AIDS ward…
““One day, Lisa Capaldini, a young intern in the AIDS ward, was saying good-bye to a patient named Gordon with whom she had grown close. Gordon was about to be discharged, but he was blind and dying, and Capaldini knew that she would never see him again. While she hovered over his bed, the intern began to cry. “And I thought, ‘That’s okay, he won’t know.’ Then I realized that my tears were dropping on his face. And I thought, ‘Busted.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Seeing a patient’s humanity can trigger unexpected emotional responses, revealing our own vulnerability.
In simple terms: Empathy reveals shared humanity.
Key Takeaway
Allow yourself to feel with others.
Themes
empathy
vulnerability
human connection
Mood
empathetic
thoughtful
Type
narrative
inspirational
When to use this quote
- patient care
- volunteering
- counseling
Key Concepts
psychology
caregiving
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you felt vulnerable helping someone?
- How can you balance empathy with self‑care?
A Different Perspective
Emotional overwhelm may impair professional judgment.