It is Written

I met Rick and Robin at a class on spinal injuries. While I was easily the healthiest person in the class in a manual wheelchair that I could control by myself, Rick was easily the most seriously injured. He was in what is called a puff and sip wheelchair, a complex motorized system that can be controlled by blowing or sucking on a straw inserted into the mouth. Accompanying him at all times was his wife, Robin, a lovely lady in her 60s.

We got to talking about Rick's accident. It seems that he was playing catcher on a softball team in Green Lake. The league rules prohibited bodily contact although they did allow runners to slide into base. Robin keep shaking her head and saying that Rick did not want to go to that softball game. He had other things to do that day and the decision to play was a last-minute one.

Because Rick had a shoulder injury, the team decided to let him catch. So he was at home plate when a young kid decided to round third and make a very risky run for home. Rick had the ball and was prepared to tag the kid out when he slid into home plate. Instead of sliding, the kid all the rules and ran straight into Rick. The impact both broke and twisted Rick’s  neck. Lying on the ground at home plate, he knew he could not feel his legs but had some movement in his arms.

By the time he was taken to the hospital and stabilized, most of the arm movement was gone. Currently he has little or no control of his arms which is why he is required to use a puff and sip wheelchair, the only type suitable for people whose injuries prevent them from using any kind of hand control.

With significant luck, he might be able to gain sufficient use of his arms to enable him to feed himself and maybe perform a few other operations. Needless to say, he is very depressed as I would be if I had similar injuries.

Robin keep saying "it must have been written". There is little else that she can say. All I can say is that I am truly glad that Rick has a devoted and dedicated wife like Robin to help him through this troubled time.