Finding a Place

 

 Knew a man in Denver years ago.

We lived in the same apartment

building. Won’t forget him because

he had two first names, David

Anthony. Nice fellow, had a

severe disability, quadriplegic

paralyzed from the neck down

by a car accident some years

before.

He didn’t let that stop him, though.

He got around in one of those motor-

ized wheel chairs. He had various

caregivers who would visit him

regularly to help out with bathing,

housekeeping and meals.

David enjoyed getting outside weather

permitting. He’d find a serene place out

of traffic’s way, getting in some sun and

fresh air. He loved reading goods books,

usually classic literature or history.

He was a very intelligent guy, graduated

from Annapolis some years ago. I ad-

mired that about him for I had dropped

out of high school at the beginning

of my senior year to join the Army.

Yet, fortunate was I to have use of both

arms and legs. And too, I had a car

which allowed me to travel about and

drive wherever I needed or wanted to go.

David used to warn me to keep my

transportation at the ready in the event

I needed to move somewhere else, or

just to get out of town. I’m sure that for

him was one of his greatest concerns.

Given his condition with his limitations,

he was pretty much stuck where he was

even if he didn’t like it.

“Don’t ever give up your car,” he often

warned me. “You just never know when

you’ll have to get up and go.”

I took David Anthony’s sage advise even

though I never could see myself selling

my car. I never envisioned myself becoming

incapable of driving as he was.

Well, some ten years later having moved

along to different places and given my

advancing age, I had succumb to disabling

arthritis which forced me to give up my

car and driving all together.

Nowadays, I’m stuck and I stay mostly

in my apartment alone, relying upon my

son and daughter to shop, run errands

and clean my place.

At this time in my life, with the exception

of visiting home medical caregivers from

the Veteran’s Administration, I really have

no one to pass along David Anthony’s

earlier warning to me—Keep your wheels

as long as you can, in case you find the

need to escape. Oh, and I might add, get

yourself some good books to read,. And

find yourself a nearby, uncrowded, comfort-

able place for some sunshine and fresh air.

-                            30-

Chris Hanch 4-15-2023