I have been treating a soldier from Iraq on and off for over 8 months. His vehicle was hit by an IED- killing the driver and breaking almost every bone in both of his feet, tibias and fibulas, and burning over 40% of his body. He is still active military duty and is has been stationed in Texas while receiving his medical care. Home for him is Ogden and I saw his mother 2 years ago for her back. So while on leave from Texas he came to see me until he was permanently transferred to Utah. June 12th is his year anniversary from the blast which changed his life forever. He has had so many consecutive surgeries requiring him to be non-weight bearing on his legs that he has hardly walked in a year. The list of complications from not walking for that long is lengthy- and I question to myself -how functional will he become?
He is a quiet hero in so many ways. An old fashioned hero. One that never calls attention to itself but is worthy of emulation. I have never once heard him complain- period. Not about the war, his condition, the pain I put him through, any exercise I give him or anything. And of all people it would be more than understandable and even justifiable for him to complain. I have had more than one patient of mine state that after watching him they will never complain about therapy again. He diligently and positively performs his therapy 3 days a week.
This week I witnessed a miracle. Among many things, he has been walking on the treadmill using a harness attached to an air compressor to unweight him while he ambulated. But on Thursday- no harness just treadmill. I still can't believe the long, confident, even strides I witnessed. Even without upper extremity support (holding on) his gait was better than I hoped for. Can you imagine my joy? Then, to watch him walk in the gym without holding on to anything and without fear of falling... He may never know how much of a miracle it really is. But after over 5 years of PT I know I witnessed a miracle.
He still has a long way to go- but I am grateful that I have the privilege of being his physical therapist. I hope I can always keep close his example of faith, hope, patience, and enduring well unto the end.
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"You are what your deep, driving desire is. As your desire is, so is your will. As your will is, so is your deed, as your deed is, so is your destiny." Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 4.5 (Translated by Eknath Easwaran.).
"Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one’s favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now." Goethe
" I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make a life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. I can humiliate or humor, hurt, or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming." Goethe
"Being committed to place ourselves in an environment that we know will make us grow and teach us about our deepest selves builds character, strength, and courage. We soon find ourselves in the habit of growth and find that "we’ve arrived" by our mere presence on the path. We find ourselves at home in the heat of our own refinement." Scott Moore
"The last thing the world needs is another perfect Downward Facing Dog pose. What the world does need is another open heart." Judeth Lasater
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