Hi all,
Do you ever forget to slow down and think how much you are really making a difference in life? Maybe you go through each day just trying to complete the task at hand as quickly as possible just so you can get home, eat dinner, go to bed and then wake up and do the same thing again? I hope you can stop, just for a bit and realize how lucky that you are that you have the chance to make a difference in this world.
Others might not be as lucky. I once thought I would never be able to get up each day and go to work ever again. I thought I would never be able to provide for my family or help others in this world ever again. I felt very hopeless.
If you had read some of the other information at this blog you might have seen that I was in the hospital for 7 months. Staying in the hospital that long gives you plenty of time to think. I had just become completely blind while in hospital and could not walk due to my illness. Day after day I would lay in the hospital bed with those thin sheets covering me with many tubes putting medications into me through a shunt in my neck. I had a feeding tube going down one of my nostrils and through my sinuses to my stomach to feed me since I could not eat or drink by mouth. I had other things attached to me as well. I was not comfortable by any means as you can imagine with all of these tubes and wires hanging off of me. I usually layed awake all night since I could not sleep at night for some reason. Could have been because of the many tubes in me or the sound of medical equipment monitoring myself and others near me.
As I layed there each night I waited for morning. I knew it was morning when I could hear the roar of the garbage trucks come to pick up the trash. I could hear them drive to different locations around the hospital. When they would get to each location I heard the noise of different motors as the lifts went to the ground and picked up the dumpster and dumped the contents into the truck. I imagined the driver driving the truck with a note pad and pen next to him or her on the passenger seat as they drove to the next dumpster. I thought how much he or she was contributing to society. About the same time I could hear the passenger jets start up there engines with a low rumble at the local international airport. I pictured the pilots and flight crew in their uniforms walking to their airplane across the tarmac. I pictured the pilots with caps on their heads carrying brief cases with flight plans and maps getting ready for there day. I thought about how much of a contribution these people are making and how very lucky they are to have this chance. I also wondered if they knew how lucky they really were. As I layed in my bed each morning listening to these people outside being productive I wished that I could help in some way. I thought since I was now blind and could not walk my chances were not good. I thought if only some person would let me I would crawl around on the ground on my hands and knees and pick up trash by hand. I also thought it might be hard to find the trash without sight, would have to feel around quite a bit, but I would do it if someone would let me. I thought if only I could be useful in this world I would be so very happy. All I wanted was to be of value to someone in this world. This thought went on day after day until I got out of the hospital.
Once out I met a person who told me how the blind could be productive and have jobs like others. Before I had gone to the hospital I never even had talked or knew another blind person. I knew nothing about the assistive devices, equipment or software that was available to the blind. I was so very excited about my new found hope! I learned all I could about the technology that allows a blind person to use a PC, as fast as possible. I learned how to walk again with therapy and was able to get rid of my full leg braces and wheel chair. I learned orientation and mobility and how to use my white cane to get around safely. I learned grade 1 and grade 2 Braille. I worked many, many hours night and day. I knew with hard work I would be a productive person again and be able to help others.
That hard work did pay off. I am again a productive person, helping the organization I work for, my community and my family. I also take time to help myself and have fun.
I hope you do not ever forget how lucky you are if you are able to work and be productive. Take the time to cherish this thought. If you do have the chance to be productive, be the best you can be within your work-life balance. Things can change instantly and drastically like it did for me. Others are not so lucky. I was once one of those people who had no hope. I am sure there are others feeling the same way I did.
Do any of you feel no hope? Any way we can give guidance? Anyone have any stories to share about yourself or others that relate to this that may help others. Any other thoughts?
Look forward to hearing from you.
Bill Tipton
Contributing Author,
Global Dialogue Center
http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/