Samuel was trapped under the rubble in Port au Prince. Not only was he pinned, but his neck had been broken and he couldn’t feel or move anything below his shoulders. What do you think went through his mind? He was subsequently rescued and transferred to HSC, where I participated in his care, along with many other dedicated professionals. Even in the US, an injury of this magnitude has a high mortality. Sam was placed into a halo vest for stabilization – his head wouldn’t feel a pillow for 2 months. He developed decubiti, urinary tract infections, and pneumonias. Yet he wouldn’t give up. He would sing to us during dressing changes. And he found a guardian angel in Joanna, an occupational therapist whose own family was touched by spinal cord injury.
The last I saw Samuel was when I flew him to the spinal rehab center. (See “It Seems Routine”) At that time, we had gotten him out of his halo, but I had real doubts as to his long term prognosis.
And then this picture showed up on my Facebook wall.
The bright eyes are the same. He’s gained some weight, and appears to have increased function in his arms. I anticipate that he will continue his rehab, then hopefully find a place that can not only care for him, but allow him to give back with his energy and experiences.
A similar fate befell Dr. Brad Berk, a brilliant cardiologist and CEO of Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester. Brad broke his neck while biking and has retold the story of how he recognized that life wasn’t over, just different. He returned to his role paralyzed, but every bit the leader he always was. (Image from: http://www.thescizone.com/news/9910/urmc-chief-dr-brad-berk-returns-after-devastating-injury.
I am inspired by these stories and the people that made them happen.
Although they all experienced despair, they were eventually fulfilled by hope.
May all of us remember to find hope in our lives every day.
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