It's been a long 37 years since I got hurt. Turkey
seems a long time ago. After I left Turkey (1961) they shipped me to Darmstadt,
Germany, and that is where I met my Waterloo. We were going to a staff
meeting - it was Dec. 21, 1962-icy roads. I was riding with a guy named
Tiny in his VW. A German taxi ran out in front of us and we collided. I
went through the windshield and almost made it through a tree. Severe head
injury. I don't remember anything about it - only what the AF passed on
to my mother. They sent me to Palo Alto VA hospital thinking every minute
I would not make it. I was in a coma eight months. My mother lived close
by Palo Alto, I guess that's why they sent me there. My Mom and Dad divorced.
I remember the day I came out of the coma. Some nurses told a dirty joke
and I heard them and I laughed out loud. Scared them to death. ( I don't
remember the joke but it must have been a good one! ) I stayed in Palo
Alto five years and then moved back to La. with my Dad. I was in pretty
bad shape and he could not take care of me so I ended up in a nursing home.
There I met Elaine in 1970. We actually grew up on the same street and
our families knew each other but lost contact after my family moved to
South La. With Elaine's help I was transferred to the Memphis hospital,
Elaine took care of me and worked too. We married in 1975. She retired
in 1976 and we moved back to La. We built a real nice house kinda out in
the country - with the VA help - and have done real well considering the
injury. I am confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed on the right side, speech
impediment, etc., etc., etc. - but alive and kicking. Elaine keeps telling
me the Lord spared me for a reason. We've been real active in our church
all these years and that is what keeps me going.
In 1997 Elaine was diagnosed with breast cancer,
had surgery, a year of chemo & 4 month's radiation. We were just devastated.
We have no children and no one to care for us at home. Elaine had to go
live with her sister and I had to come to Northeast La. Veterans home 'til
she can get strong enough to care for me or the Lord sends someone to care
for both of us. We both feel so blessed, however. She has no sign of the
cancer, thank goodness.
I am excited to hear we may have a reunion.
That would be great. We will do all we can to come. It might be hard, but
we will do our best.
