by Julie
Kentucky, USA
When I was in the 8th grade in Ohio, a girl that rode the same school bus I did had a terrible accident. As she was running to the bus so as not to miss it, she slipped on ice and fell under the rear wheels of the bus. She survived the accident but was paralyzed from the waist down.
I went to see her, and in my 13 year-old mind I recall thinking that she wouldn’t have much of a life now. Over the years, I moved, married, and had children, and didn’t think much about Helen after that.
Three years ago, in Florida, my oldest son was hit by a car while riding his bike, thrown 90 feet, and landed on his head, suffering a horrid brain injury. While semicomatose, he was transferred to a rehabilitation center. While in my son’s room, the phone rang, and it was a lady who said that she was the rehab’s social worker. It was a particularly trying day. I burst into tears for no reason, and heard the click of the call being disconnected.
Looking at this wonderful, giving, person, I felt small. But I also felt the hope she gave me, the first I had since learning that my son was hurt. From this person that I thought would have no quality of life, I learned to never give up — ever. And I learned that when there is life, there is hope. My son miraculously recovered and we moved back north, but I owe Helen a debt that I can never adequately repay.
Available in The Best of HeroicStories, Volume 1.
Wonderful story.
My step-dad had polio when he was 18 months old and walked with a pronounced limp all his life. As with the person in this story, he never let his “handicap” stop him from doing what he needed and wanted to do. I have known quite a few people with so-called handicaps and they seem to get more out of life than the average person and are generally more appreciative of what they have.
Accidents will continue to happen but as Julie says, we should never give up -ever.
We may lose faculties or limbs but we never lose the help or gifts from God. We should all remember, even a few kind words can be inspiring and uplifting.
I had someone like that, in 1997, after my accident. Then, after three years in bed, I could’ve used someone like that again.
Luckily, things like this are more common now, 15 years later. There are many more people out and about in wheelchairs now, living full and active lives. I’ve seen everything from archery to sailing to mountain climbing; wheelchairs are more common in comic books and movies, business, and even modeling.
I’m happy to be living now.
This story does more to dispel mythology of ‘ the body normal’ than many education courses I know. I’m an RN whose first job was in physical rehab during the 1960’s, and learned from many patients/teachers that life may be lived to the fullest no matter the physical disability. Now, onto dispelling mythology on aging…. Thank you. There are no accidents, the right people are put in our path, aren’t they?