As I worked tonight, I had the show “HOUSE” in the background, so I could listen at the same time, and sneak a glance every few minutes or so.

For those not aware of this show, it’s about this Doctor (named House) who is usually given the hard-to-diagnose cases.

In this episode, we had this man who had an accident when he was a child, and after the accident he had severe brain injuries and was never able to live a normal life again. He was mentally impaired, except for one thing. He became a gifted pianist.

And then cut to the first scene: at a concert hall, a performer prepares to go out with the aid of his father. They go out on stage and the father introduces Patrick and explains there was an accident and now they are raising money for people with similar neurological disabilities. Patrick begins to perform but then starts missing notes. Patrick then complains of head pains. and his hands are horribly twisted.

Diagnosis and Cure

It turns out that Patrick, is brain dead on the right side of his brain, and that the activity in the right side of the brain has been due to an auto-immune response. In order for Patrick to get better and restore full functionality to the left side of the brain, they decide that it’s better to take out the right side of the brain, meaning that he would never be able to play the piano again.

To make the long story, even longer, they proceed with the operation, and for the first time, Patrick seems happy. They cut to a scene where he is buttoning his shirt, an act that he has never been able to do. So, although he cannot play the piano as before, his everyday life is better because he can use his functioning side of the brain (left side) to the fullest extent.

So, I ask everyone, what is happiness? Is happiness, the ability to play Beethoven in an orchestra hall… or just the act of doing everyday things, like buttoning your shirt?

You smirk, but you have to realize, there are those in wheelchairs who wish that they could walk, yet sometimes we take the act of walking for granted.

There are those who cannot see, and wish above all, just to be able to see another sunset…

It’s the everyday things that we forget to appreciate. We are blessed, let us not forget it. And the next time you start buttoning your shirt — realize — there are some who don’t even have that luxury.