Rasso Rothacker: The Samaritan

By Sherry Sobhy

Sherry Sobhy

Rasso Rothacker: The Samaritan

This statue shows a child with epilepsy whose hand is being held by a helper (the mother or father) and who is being supported as it makes its first attempts at walking. The difference in size between the two people in the statue signalises on the one hand the sick child's need for help and protection, and on the other hand the active help and the safety which the helper provides.

I chose this sculpture as it emphasizes how each person who has epilepsy is in deep need for extra help and support. No matter how old the patient is, he/she will still want to feel safe and supported. They need the assurance that they are normal and can definitely live independently. They need to feel that they are accepted from the society around. As shown in that statue, parents, family, close friends are usually the first people who take this initiative in helping, supporting and assuring those patients with epilepsy that they are normal and that they are always accepted. During their week moments when they fall down, they will be looking around for those hands that will comfort them and help them get up and resume their lives normally.

Great post Sherry! This really shows the importance of having a support system when dealing with illness. - Samantha Varghese

I agree with you Samantha...very nice illustration...Deepa Pednekar

Hey Sherry, great choice of media item for the epilepsy theme. I agree that the statue shows the support needed for patients with epilepsy. For example, when someone is experiencing a conic-tonic seizure, that person is powerless for that time periodand it is through the support of other bystanders to monitor and call for aid if needed. The statue does a great job addressing epilepsy and the benefit of this increased awareness is perhaps to de-stigmatize epilepsy and perhaps lessen the burdens of guilt felt by some epileptics (SUBIR MANN).

Brian, I did not know that either! Thanks for the great input! So that means that epilepsy is not always being treated as a disability? - Nadeen Ayad

Samantha Varghese, Your insight regarding a support system is a so true. Until researching for ideas about this topic, I had no idea that patients with epilepsy are sometimes only eligible for Social Security disability benefits according to the type, frequency, duration and nature of the seizures. [ Comment by Brian Marcantel ]

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