Balances in Law Enforcement Special Series
PC Ling on his life after traffic accident
Traffic Police Constable (PC) Ling Siu-ngai was seriously injured in a traffic accident whilst on duty last August. PC Ling is now recovering. In the following letter to his three-year-old son, he shares with members of the Force his experience and positive attitude after sustaining his injuries.
Hei Hei,
Today I couldn't help losing my temper. I am very sorry about this. After the traffic accident, I have been irritated by the pain and sometimes lose patience with your never-ending questions. Although your mischievous behaviour has been a big headache to your mom and me, you are our source of happiness as well as my motivation to move forward.
Since the traffic accident in August last year, our family has experienced a major change. I remember that when I awakened after 10 days in coma, I found my right leg amputated. It did not take me long to accept the reality. With my experience in Traffic Unit, I had been mentally prepared for the possible loss of my right leg when it was run over by a large lorry the very instant I was swept under it. In fact, I count myself very lucky to be able to stay alive and see you again. In this accident, if the lorry had moved a little further upward on my body, you would not see me again. To me it is more practical to look at the brighter side of things than to give up or grumble about the loss.
During my hospitalisation for more than five months, I had undergone a dozen operations and various treatments. In January this year I was eventually discharged from hospital and I am so happy to be with you and your mom again. However, I recently learned that the use of an artificial leg is not possible in my situation. Moreover, the doctor had mentioned the need of a wheelchair in the long run as my left leg, which was also injured in the accident and will be my main limb bearing the weight, would be quickly strained. Yet I am not too worried about this. The worst scenario is no more than the use of a crutch and a wheelchair, and I shall still be able to move around freely.
A friend has asked me whether I felt regret for the accident. Not at all! I was injured whilst on duty and have done nothing wrong. Also, it is a known fact that police duty itself carries a certain risk. I have always been dedicated to my profession and give my best in what I do. Then there is nothing to regret.
Although there is no regret, there are inevitably times of worry and frustration whenever I think about my work and family. As a man I always think I should take care of my family. It makes me feel bad to be looked after by my family now. Luckily, I am very grateful to have your mom who is a perfect and optimistic wife and knows how to support me when l am down. I will not let myself think too much about what I cannot change. My priority is to focus on my rehabilitation programme and to adapt to my new life with a crutch. I am also learning to be more open-minded about accepting others' care, because only if I am happy, can you grow up in a happy family. This is my greatest wish about you.
The Force has been very supportive to me since the accident. CP and many senior officers have visited me to encourage me, strengthening my confidence in resuming duties in the future. Welfare Services Group and Psychological Services Group maintain close contacts with me, discussing with me ways to resolve various difficulties and offering a lot of practical assistance. A new home, for instance, that facilitates my rehabilitation was arranged, helping me adapt to life with one single leg; and another kindergarten near our home was arranged for you so as to save travelling time for your mom so that she can better take care of me and the family. Furthermore, supervisors and colleagues from my Traffic Unit often visited me to cheer me up. I can feel deeply the genuine care in the Force, which reminds me to remain grateful and encourages me to keep going.
I feel a bit sorry for you, my son. I love sports and you are just like me - active and energetic. I used to think that we could do some outdoor activities together when you get older. However, I cannot even walk as fast as a three-year-old now. How can I play football with you? It also seems that you feel rather insecure after my injury, and always ask me why my right leg has disappeared. My explanation is it has to be amputated because of a serious injury. Then when you saw my wounded and bandaged left leg, you asked: "Dad, your left leg is injured, why don’t you have it cut off?" Your question made me worry my injury would cast a shadow on you.
Hei Hei, I hope you will learn from Dad's injury experience that hard times and adversity are inevitable in life, and regret and blame are meaningless. We have to try our best to accept what has happened and, with a grateful attitude, move forward to face and overcome difficulties. This is the attitude I have adopted now. I hope I can set an example to teach you to be a tough, positive and useful person.
Dad
Despite
his
setback, PC Ling faces the future with a positive outlook