A Better Neighborhood

Stories have always been a major part of my life.  My Dad read one to me every night at bedtime until I was able to read them myself.

Then I started to write my stories; a few have been read, many have not.  However, it hasn't really mattered because throughout the years I have loved doing it.  And in that time I learned an important thing.

The best stories, no matter who tells them, are the true ones.  And this is one that I believe should be told.

My friend, my neighbor, whose story I wrote about in September 2013, has returned home after ten months of hospitalization.

Ken ("Not Just A Neighbor") had a devastating accident last fall leaving him totally paralyzed.  He has had extensive medical care in Stony Brook Hospital, Rusk Institute, Columbia Presbyterian as well as other rehab and nursing facilities.

Early in June Ken was hospitalized once again in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital with a frightening temperature of 104 degrees and placed on a ventilator.

The prognosis was grim.  Debbie, his wife maintained her vigil and resisted any of the dire suggestions offered by medical experts about termination of care and quality of life issues.

That evening as she was leaving the facility for her long drive home, she encountered four nuns in the parking garage.  As she waited her turn at the cashier, she realized there was a problem for the elderly women.  Apparently, while visiting one of their congregation, they had parked their car unaware of the fee  The attendant was adamant; he could not waive the charge.  The Sisters were embarrassed, but without funds.

Debbie, whose medical bills for the past ten months have been astronomical, attempted to intervene.  As a school teacher, she knew of their Order, and was aware of their vow of poverty.  Quietly, she explained to the attendant the elderly women did not have the money to pay the charges.  He was insistent, the bill had to be paid.

Finally, Debbie removed a credit card from her purse.  Handing it to the clerk she said, "Put it on this."

As he completed the transaction, the grateful Sisters asked Debbie how they could repay her.  She said, "My husband is upstairs, dying.  Please pray for him."

The cars were retrieved from the parking area, and both the Nuns and Debbie returned home.

The following day Debbie arrived at the hospital as she has daily since September 2013, with apprehension.  She didn't know how she would find Ken.

To her amazement, he was awake and off all mechanical devices.  The nurses told her they couldn't understand what had happened during the night.  Ken's temperature suddenly returned to normal, and he was able to breathe without mechanical assistance.

Later that day Debbie met the Nuns in the hospital lobby as they were arriving to visit their patient, and they inquired about Ken.  Debbie told them, "Your prayers were answered."  They smiled and simply said, "So soon?"

Ken finally returned home this past weekend.  It has been a long time since that sunny September morning when his world changed forever.  The good news is that he has a wonderfully supportive family, and a 24 hour nursing staff caring for him.

And the neighborhood is better now that he is back.