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So Disturbing, I Can't Comprehend It
by James Glaser April 14, 2014 
I was at the VA today, and a guy rolls up in his scooter chair and parks it next to me. He is a Vietnam vet with no legs and one arm. Well, from years of experience I just start talking to him like anybody else and try not to make his injuries the topic of conversation. So, we are talking about this and that and having a nice time, and the conversation somehow morphs into no matter how bad you have it, there is always somebody that has it worse than you. So I had to ask if he knew guys worse off than him, and I'm thinking quadriplegics. Now this guy is upbeat, and he looks right at me and says, "Oh yeah." He goes on to tell me about the guy with no arms and one leg, and how much better off this guy felt having a hand instead of a foot. He also said that guys like him over the years seemed to come in contact with others who have lost limbs in the service, because they have to go to the same clinics at the VA, and over time some of their appointments coincide. He then went on and told me about the guy who had lost both legs like he had and the same arm as him, but that they guy was blind, too A bit later they called his name. We shook hands, and he rolled down the hall to his appointment. I sat there thinking that after that conversation it would be hard for me to ever start feeling sorry for myself. I don't know how that guy does it. I'm telling you he really was upbeat and lots of vets walking by were saying hi to him by name, and you could tell that he was well-liked. War is just the shits, and it takes so much away from so many. Over the years, you will see what it does if you get your health care at the VA. Men and now women with missing limbs, blind, deaf, burned vets, and some who look so horrible you know being out in public is a real challenge I don't know what to think. That man gave me a lot to think about, and that short time with him made me so thankful for the life I have. |
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