Attitude of Courage

Looks Good. Write Wayne Write.

Real courage is not as much a willingness to die manfully as a determination to live anyway.

Thinking about living and dying, it seems to me that to die saving a life might be bravery, but it might also be a noble impulse.

To wake up each day and accept the same overwhelming obstacles has to be more than an impulse. Accepting a life of rehab when rehab is impossible requires courage beyond measure and a belief in the value of one’s contribution.

Wayne’s Attitude as he faces his daily challenging predicament makes it easier for me to face my challenges. I make sure he knows I recognize this every time I see him.

Living Bravely

Speaking of living with resilient bravery, fellow crash survivor Wayne and I are about to play Blackjack when a conversation I had with Abigail Capps on LinkedIn comes to mind.  “Abbi” is a certified rehab counselor who contacted me after we met in a group called Professionals with Disabilities.

Remembering she  told me about her training being in the rehab area, I described Wayne’s physical situation to her and asked if she had any additional ideas of how I could interact with him. Abbi asked if he could write. I was astonished. Why hadn’t I thought of that?

Anyway, today I presented Wayne with a paper and a pen. It was slow going and required concentration on Wayne’s part, but he kept himself in good spirits as he struggled to get the one hand he can move in position to write. It took several minutes for him to shape each letter, but Wayne finally wrote A B C D E F before we played the day’s Blackjack games.

Enduring Courage

Like bricks in a wall are the days that make up Wayne’s life. For Wayne to keep himself in good spirits as he lives each day is an amazing feat of courage that is a constant reminder of how fortunate I am. I’m only half paralyzed. In other words, half my body works! I can limp around, I can talk, I can eat, I can drive. Visiting silent Wayne, my Attitude coach, reminds me that I have more than I don’t have.  Thanks Wayne.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide on, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs.” Victory has its peace, but it takes courageous men and women to win it.

To enjoy the benefits that come with victory, you must have courage. People like Wayne are courage personified.