Weak Heart, Strong Mind

Lub-dub.

Lub-dub. Lub-dub. The sound of her pounding heart seems to tune out the doubts buzzing within her head. With burning courage shining within her brown eyes she paints a smile. She might have a weak heart but not a weak determination.

As the streaks of morning light fills her room, April C. Mombay feels the surge of hope rushing in within. To others it might be a normal day but for her it is another extension for someone who was a heart disease a blessing she is thanking God for the past 18 years of her life.

April’s condition started when she was young but the symptoms reach its peak when she was in high school, with hopes and dreams of a youthful child that seems to be encage in the limitations of the body.

“Sauna, wala. Dili jud. Karon ra man ni nigawas , katong elementary okay-okay pa, karon pa man ni nigawas.” she said as she described her experiences while having a heart disease.

There were instances when she faced circumstances while having the disease. Most of the people around her treated her like a glass that is too fragile to be moved because of her condition. It broke her to the core when people try to reason her disease when she is doing something. Years after that, the fear of being a baggage starts to live within her. Sometimes when she sees people dancing and doing strenuous work, her mind wanders what it would feel. Doing something that is exhausting until you are left panting for air but the rush of being alive is there. But she can’t and her dreams fall short on the things she was only limited to do. She feared that the people will soon get annoyed when her disease keeps them from doing their work.

“Dili man gud ko ganahan na ma feel nila na pabigat ko, muhilom nalang ko pagmagsakit. Kung atakihon ko usahay dili nalang ko musaba, kung magsakit akong dughan dili ko magsaba kay dili ko ganahan na ingnon ko ug dili nako kaya,” she emphasized that her fear has grown into years and sometimes she comes hard headed to most people.

Her strong will is anchored from the people who loved and supported her. But she wants to open the eyes that hold her softly that she might have a weak heart physically, but her courage never tremble.

Indeed, April is someone who embodies a strong mind, courageous heart and someone who never gives up. In every beat of life, she proves that having a weak heart is an opportunity to be strong.