Sometime We Take A Lot For Granted

Growing up with a severe physical disability was not easy by any means, but with the assistance of family, friends, and other supporters I have managed to learn how to compensate for my physical limitations and lead a very fulfilling life. People with physical disabilities who live in third world countries are not as fortunate. I learned this first hand this week when I was asked for my input about a 15 year-old who has severe Cerebral Palsy
A few weeks ago, my coach and good friend, Paul Tetreault, asked me if I would be willing to meet with a friend, of his Janice B. Hulme, Physical Therapist (PT). She is the Director of PT and a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Rhode Island.
Hulme recently had traveled with students from the PT department of URI to Guatemala to visit a clinic for people with disabilities. Among the many children and adults that the group observed was a young man who’s name is Oscar. This individual was confined to a bed and rarely able to transfer into his wheelchair. Oscar’s whole body convulsed on a regular basis through out the entire day, which had to take a toll on his body and mind. The staff from URI tried to come up with some techniques to relax the young man but their attempts were futile.
On Tuesday night, Hulme came to visit me at my home to see if I could come up with any ideas to make this young man’s life a little easier and happier. When she arrived at my house she gave me a brief overview of his condition and then showed me a video of her visit with him that took place this past December at his home in Guatemala. Although the video was only a little longer than half an hour it seemed like it was a lot longer as I watched helplessly as he flailed on his bed thousands of miles away.
When I was asked to help Hulme think of ways to improve his quality of life I was flattered but I knew it would be almost impossible for me to help someone so far away and who had no way to communicate his needs to me.
Doctors and therapists are wonderful but sometimes you need someone that has been in a similar situation to make a break through. After an hour or so of discussing Oscar with Hulme I gave her a few ideas that I hope will help him in the future. Although I was flattered to have been called upon to help, in the end I was left with a feeling of helplessness.
With all the obstacles that I have overcome in my life I often forget to take time to look at how far I have come and how much I have accomplished. I only can hope that Oscar can find a way to cope with his disabilities and allow people to see the person that he is inside.