We are worth billions

In my blog of 15 June 2013, I wrote that “our body is worth billions. For example, a pair of healthy eyes is simply priceless. Tonnes of money in research and development would not be able to produce sight for the blind. Ditto for our brain and so forth.”

While it’s a bad situation with part-of-the-way redemption, a recent news report shed light on the sum of USD 58 million awarded to Mr Antonio Lopez Chaj in Torrance Superior Court, Los Angeles, for about 25% of his skull which was bashed in.

As a result, Mr Chaj (chy), a house painter, suffers from severe brain damage, has lost his ability to speak, requires more surgeries as well as round-the-clock nursing care.

He was assaulted while trying to intercede in an attack by a bartender-manager and security guard on his two nephews. It was reported that he was beaten with a baton, kicked in the head eight times and had his skull smashed against a pavement four times.

It is gruesome to lose what we have. So, let this sober us up to appreciate what we do have. Money can’t buy back or restore fully our missing body parts.  I wish Mr Chaj a good recovery despite this setback.

For your further contemplation, here are some quotes on health is wealth:-

“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.” -- Henry David Thoreau

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.” -- Mahatma Gandhi

“When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost.” -- Billy Graham