Journey with your heart

By George Holmes

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Not so long ago, a young man approached me and said, “Nice shoes - Use them much?” Not the most appropriate way for that guy to introduce himself to a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility. Before you go rouge on that guy, hear the rest of the story.

Like most people, I wear shoes. But the soles of my shoes never show wear. I have and set priorities and goals like everyone. For all the similarities I share with other people, I can't escape the fact I am part of the second-largest minority in the United States - the disabled.

I was not born disabled. For half my life, I fit in and experienced a high level of success. Since my injury, I read that 70 percent of the population temporarily becomes disabled at some time in life. I also learned that disabled people do not fit nicely in a homogeneous box.

I own a 1986 Ford E-150. With this van, I use many of the same skills that I had before my injury. In its prime, the van had empowered me to meet people, go places and accomplish many things

I led a team that raised awareness and the funds necessary to provide integrated wheelchair seating at our local ballpark. I served my city as a Civil Rights Commissioner for eight years. I get to help raise and mentor the 9-year-old child of my attendant care provider.

There is a diversity of mobility-impaired people. While in rehab, I approach another young rehabber who was sitting quietly near the nurse's station. I asked him if he would like some red licorice. He said, “yes.”

Within five minutes, the nurses moved him into my room. How was I to know he had not spoken since his brain surgery or that red licorice was his favorite candy?

My disability is physical and easy to see. Not so with the guy who liked my shoes. I invited him to talk. It was only then I learned he was on his way to meet his head injury support counselor. He is no more a heel than I am a hero.

Wherever I go, my shoes come with. How far I travel, the thing I acquire or accomplish is not so important. How I love God and my fellow man is the journey.

I wrote the preceding essay for a contest sponsored by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association. I thank the Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball club and everyone who helped me promote National Mobility Awareness Month. Most important, I want to thank everyone who participated in the event.

Because only the top 10 percent of vote getters are eligible to win a customized wheelchair van in the contest, I encourage you to visit www.mobility

awarenessmonth.com by this weekend. Click on the local heroes tab to support me or others.

George Holmes resides in Cedar Rapids. Comments: gleoholmes@netzero.net