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A View Of Columbus Through Rose-Colored Glasses
This article is dedicated to acknowledging examples of positives that express the community spirit of Columbus – our town.
When one suffers a lifechanging event (in my case a stroke), their sensitivity becomes highly alert to the way others treat/react to them. It’s easily discernable when strangers see the wheelchair and rush to open the door, or see the need for help across a barrier, etc. Since I am a person being helped frequently, it is my opportunity to give the helper a wide smile and a quick “thank you” before the helper turns away.
It is such an extraordinary pleasure to have friends or acquaintances be preemptive and tell you to be sure and call if you need anything while husband Bob is gone. As someone who is handicapped, it is so much easier to ask for help if the friend has already “opened the door”. I have an abundance of those thoughtful helpers and believe that I’m quite blessed.
Sometimes, there are situations which I call “accidents’, and there is really no friend present. In fact, an accident may be in the middle of the street in downtown Columbus. Last week, Bob took me to Grand Oaks Antique Shop to “freshen” my booth. We were in a hurry as usual as he was involved in another obligation (he can usually handle at least three obligations at once). We were riding in the van...which is challenging to say the least. We arrived at Grand Oaks just about noon and I was quite eager to climb out into my wheelchair to be rolled inside.
We have a precise procedure to accomplish this transfer. Somehow, my second foot slipped, and I ended up on my butt on the pavement. Of course it scared us, but before we could begin recovery, a lovely lady (Leslie), came from across the street and positioned the wheelchair while Bob lifted me up. I was unscathed and we proceeded inside to begin work. I began to tell Beth my story when a tall gentleman rushed in through the front door. He followed Leslie from across the street to assist me if need be. I’m sure you might guess that the tall man was from First State Bank – the charming John Polach. My fall had been “public”. Someone from First State had spotted me out the window and sent John to the rescue. How kind!
The “accident” came the week after the Boys & Girls Club Taste of Columbus event (hope you were there) where a lot of kindhearted people stepped up to volunteer their help. Thanks to all volunteers who helped make it successful. My “fall” and my helpers as well as the volunteers fit right into the spirit of our town and a special thank you goes out to Leslie and John. Let’s never pass up an opportunity to “do unto others”.
