Grandson, Grandmother Are Classmates

An 80-year old grandmother with dementia received an honorary diploma from the college her grandson attended this month. They are Jeong Yeong-cheol (29. Seo-gu, Daejeon), who is graduating from the Elderly Health and Welfare department at Daejeon Health Sciences College, and his grandmother.

Jeong has spent 24 hours a day with his grandmother for the last two years. They are always together. This story dates back to 1999.

After she had a car accident that year, she developed dementia. She has gotten worse since 2003.

To make matters worse, she was suffered from degenerative arthritis and couldn’t move her body well.

His family gathered to discuss that matter. Jeong’s parents, who had to work for a living, suggested sending her to a sanatorium because they couldn’t take care of her but, Jeong shook his head.

“My grandmother has loved me so much since I was young. As I am healthy, I thought I should attend to her as long as the situation allows.”

At that time, his graduation from the clinical pathology department (a three-year course) at Hyechon College was not far away. Instead of getting a job, he decided to take care of his grandmother and entered Daejeon Health Sciences College through a special screening.

He bought a car and drove her to college. He listened to lectures sitting side by side with her. He went to the cafeteria with her.

His classmates, who saw them doing those things together, called them “the grandma-grandson couple.” At home, his younger brother, Yeong-seok (27) helped him.

When professors called roll, they called “Jeong Yeong-cheol” first and then checked his grandmother’s attendance saying, “Is grandmother here, too?” During a test, a professor made a joke saying “grandmother also should take the exam.”

Jeong always had to pay attention to his grandmother. While listening to a lecture, he turned his eye to his grandmother to check if she was all right. He talked to her when she read a fairy tale book.

“Grandmother, this is Cinderella and that is her sister.”

He could rest only when his classmates bought her a milk or kimbap and talked to her.

He attended to his grandmother during lecture as well as practice hours. During practice hours every Thursday afternoon, he bathed her and gave massages to her.

On weekends, they went out and had fun. His grandmother was always with him, even when he met his friends and watched movies. His grandmother got much better after she stayed with him.

She couldn’t even identify her own family members except for Jeong when her symptoms were severe. But now she remembers not only her family, but even one or two of Jeong’s classmates.

She used to depend on her wheelchair, but now she can stand up on her own thanks to regular exercise. With help, she can even walk.

Kim’s eyes moistened, saying, “I am living thanks to my grandson, Yeong-cheol.”

Jeong said, “I have been asked many times whether I’m having a hard time. However, I’m OK. Maybe it is because it became part of my life. I want to work for social welfare facilities and make my grandmother comfortable.”

The college plans to award an honorary diploma to his grandmother and a diploma and a prize for filial conduct to Jeong at the graduation ceremony.

Myung-Hun Jee mhjee@donga.com