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Tuesday, April 3, 2012

So Far, So Good - The Spot I Am In

                                                                         
         Reader alert:  This post is a mother's paean to her son's courage.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  :)
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Yesterday was the Big Day!  Eight months and sixteen days after his surgery last July, K. rolled into his classroom.

No, he is not completely recovered; and yes, he still has to have a nurse come to the house each day to dress his wound.  But it is 95% healed and he persuaded the doctors to give him a "conditional" release to go back to work.

The conditions are that he must be evaluated weekly, and if the wound begins to breakdown (due to the fact that he must sit on it 10-12 hours a day while working) he will have to have another surgery and be down again for several more months.

Nevertheless, he felt it was worth taking a shot at it, because if he could not return by April 17th, he would lose the position he has held for the past ten years.  No tenure in the county where he works.

Back in the day, I managed a workforce of over a thousand people; and when I think of all the times an employee with the "two-day sniffles" stretched that into a five day absence - when I think of all the times an employee worked two or three doctors from different angles to be able to declare a temporary disability in order take several months off work - well, it is hard.

In the past nine years on the job, K. took nine sick days - total.

I have watched him struggle to get back into the workplace, while still on three or four medications, still carrying a wound that could have killed him, still unable to move his left arm with full range of motion due to eight months of enforced bed rest, yet still saying, "Let me go.  Let me try.  I want to do this if I can.  We won't know until I try."

Yesterday students ran across the quad when they saw his car pull into the handicapped spot, shouting "Mr. R., Mr. R.  You're back!"

Office staff shook his hand, some with tears in their eyes, saying "Welcome back."

Fellow teachers in various classrooms, hallways, and the cafeteria stopped by to shake his hand and say, "We missed you."

Of course, I am his mother, and I am biased.  But I am telling you, Mr. Chips had nothing on this kid.  He is indomitable.

This is the guy who went down to the DMV office two weeks after both legs were amputated and had them change his license from six feet one inch tall to four feet eight inches. It was his idea of humor.

He teaches the most difficult students in an economically deprived school district in a portable classroom.  He attitude is "bring it on."  These kids have no one to read to them at home, their parents may be incarcerated, and often English is not their first language.  Still there has been one dependable person in their world: Mr. R. shows up.  And he cares.

Despite everything, despite all obstacles and all hardships, he shows up.  Daily he shows them that if he can do it, they can too.

Role models come in all sizes and shapes.  Some come riding in wheelchairs.

We do not know what next week holds.  But today we are wearing big BIG smiles.

Hope you are smiling, too.  Until next time .... Marsha

19 comments:

  1. That is a beautiful post in tribute to your extremely brave son, and I am sat here with tears in my eyes. Of course you're biased, being his mum, but he is obviously an inspiration to all his students and such a brave and courageous young man. As you say, when you think of all the malingerers that there are out there in the world. Good luck to him = I wish him well on his return to work. Great post.

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    1. So glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for your encouraging words.

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  2. I most certainly am......smiling, that is! And, crying and laughing and praising the Lord for your son, for his courage, for his determination, for his willingness to sacrifice for those who need him so very much! What a blessed group those are who are gifted with the presence of this inspirational young man in their lives! God bless him and God bless you for being his cheerleader!


    Many hugs.............

    Diane

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    1. Most of us have had someone in our lives who challenges us. Mine just happens to be "up close and personal." :)

      And yes, I am praising God for his mercy. Blessings to you today.

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  3. You have so much to be proud of in that phenom of a son and he for you! Blessings to you all!

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  4. There is no wonder your are proud of him - he has such a big, good heart. Good luck to him and all the kids he teaches and cares for. I don't even know him and I am proud of him too. :))

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  5. This is the kind of courage we should be reading of in the news, not overhyped politicians or movie stars. What a loving tribute, and so well written. It truly makes me proud to be a teacher, having the likes of your courageous son in our ranks. God bless him. And you!

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    1. Shelly,
      Teachers like you and my son, and my daughter, you all make me proud; and you humble me with your sacrifice and courage.

      I had a high school English teacher who taught me to write, and taught me to think, and taught me to think about writing. It has made such a difference in my life. Blessings to you.

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  6. When we see people in wheelchairs, we have no idea what strength, willpower and tenacity they have, what pain they suffer, and how many of them have changed someone else's life. Your son is a champion to muster the strength to continue his good work with difficult children. He is a prince in shining armour riding his two wheeled steed. No wonder you are so proud of him. I imagine he got a lot of his determination to to overcome obstacles from his mum, oops mom.

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    1. Mums, or moms, the world over - we all share that desire to see our children contribute something of value in the world.

      I so enjoy the stories of YOUR adventures! :) Have a fine day.

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  7. I'm smiling too - and you deserve to be proud!

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    1. Mari,
      Thanks so much. Hope your day continues to make you smile.

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  8. I wish I knew more people like him. What an amazing person with such desire to be productive and to give to others. The world may look at people from the outside but God looks at the heart. Your son is such a wonderful example to many, including me. You have every right to be proud!

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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    1. Debbie,
      You were one of the first to encourage me in blogging, and I have continued to enjoy your posts and your wonderful attitude.

      Blessings to you today.

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  9. Smiles, and tears reading about your wonderful son. He has a terrific mother!

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  10. I got a feeling the acorn didn't fall far from the tree....Like mother, like son.....You have shown him what courage looks like lived out in a fallen world....and obviously he was a good student.....Your faith has been evident through out his life and He knew where to turn when he needed help....

    You should be proud of him; God is proud of both of you....

    Marsha, I pray you and your family will be blessed beyond measure during this Easter season....

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  11. You are deservedly proud of your son. I hope everything continues to go well with him and his recovery.

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