We are back working in the
hospitals now. No longer enjoying the peaceful evenings of no homework and
relaxation, but hopping into bed as soon as the sun goes down to be prepared
for the 4am wake up call so we aren’t late for the morning report. This time around
it’s our rehab rotation; patients with stroke, brain injuries, spinal cord
injuries, and more. It’s the first day and the only information we get is a
room number, “that’s your patient for today, find the nurse, don’t just be
standing around.” Okay… great. I walk into my patient’s room to find that he is
a 19 year old boy who suffered a spinal cord injury from a surfing accident. He
is now a quadriplegic but has regained movement in his arms but his legs are
still paralyzed and he has no strength to grip in either hand. He has to use a
mechanical lift to be moved into the bathroom or to his wheelchair and can do
nothing without someone to help him. This is the young man I had the privilege
of spending my day with. His spirits were constantly high and if anything got
awkward or became too serious he instantly turned it into a joke. He was truly
refreshing to be around and his presence brought a smile to everyone’s face.
Later in the day when his sister and I took him to his therapy appointment we
got to shoot some hoops, all of us from a sitting position to make it fair of
course, and we played some bean-bag tossing game also. Each time we brought the bean-bags back
for him to throw I would watch him struggle to pick them up from off his lap. He
didn’t even have the strength in his hands to squeeze the bean-bag tight enough
to lift it. He would move the bag around his lap until he was able to get the
bean-bag between both of his limp hands and push them together to up to get it.
At one point I saw the frustration in his face and he knew that his sister and
I were watching him as he sat there struggling. He just looked up at both of us
and said, with frustration in his voice, “I can do this do, I can.” And without
a doubt he did.
I left the hospital that day with a
heavy heart, but not because of my patient. No not for him. He sees the light
in a awful situation, he found a joyful spirit even without being able to walk
or care for himself, and he sees that there is hope even in the darkest times.
Its times like these when we realize why the Bible tells us never to grumble or
complain. What is there for us to complain about when we can worship the Lord
for being able to walk, talk, and take a breath for another day? How humbling.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Give THANKS in all circumstances; for this is the
will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
