I visited my friend who is in a center after a severe car accident. He is paralyzed from the neck down, although he did move his shoulders! He is on a ventilator to train him to breathe on his own, but he is communicating by mouthing words and can talk when not on the ventilator. He is stuck in that bed, but has so many beautiful things covering the walls, mostly UC related. He cannot go somewhere to see his friends, but people are there every single day talking with him and watching UC basketball on TV. The basketball team visited him, he has signed stuff everywhere, and there are inspirational messages surrounding him on t-shirts, banners, and photographs, including a cardboard cut-out of him that some friends took to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.
He is smiling, inquiring about our lives, and after I told him that everyone misses and loves him so much, he said he feels the same way for us.
Even in a situation like this, when so many things have to be frustrating, there is so much hope. He looks great, appreciates everything that he has, and hasn't once given up. Because when you're in a situation like this, you have to hold dear to what you have instead of longing for what you don't. To value simply being alive and to have the love of parents and friends is so important here, and for the rest of us. It was a sobering reminder to take nothing for granted.
A true example of Perseverance developing Character, leading to undying Hope.
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