“Treasures of Darkness” illustration by Gary Gaede
Advent Day 10 – Tuesday, December 11
I have cerebral palsy (CP). I also have petit mal seizures, usually when I am sleeping. Seizures are something your body does that you don’t have any control over. They are kind of scary. The CP was probably caused from lack of oxygen during birth. It has also caused me to be stiff and weak on my right side.
About three years ago, I got up early one morning, and I may have had a seizure that caused me to fall against the cabinet and sprain my left ankle. My right ankle is already stiff and weak…now, I can hardly walk. I called frantically for my mother, who lives upstairs, because I was also bleeding from a cut in my cheek! Mother seemed to take her time coming, not realizing I was in bad shape. When she assessed the situation, she immediately called my brother Craig, who came as quickly as he could.
“Do you remember the Fireman’s Carry?” Craig asked. “Yes,” I replied. With that he hoisted me over his back and shoulder and climbed up the stairs, put me in the car, and we took off for X-rays and stitches. He is really strong! He also carried me in and out of the clinic and then back home to Mom’s sofa. Here was my new home for the next six weeks! Craig got me a walker and Mother managed to take care of me like a nurse. I was pretty helpless and hardly able to walk, even with the walker.
I found the TV a big help in passing the time. I enjoyed sports and the Christian programing (like Charles Stanley on Saturday nights), as well as OSL’s worship services. I received cards from friends and family as well as from my Bible study group and co-workers. I think God was using my family and friends to show his love for me. My brothers were beginning to think I was liking this life a little too much, but eventually Mother moved me back to my apartment downstairs, and I was able to resume my normal activities.
This healing process was a long time for me to be lying around. However, I think I did learn (or rather improved) patience. I try to relax more when I’m waiting for my rides, to not be in such a hurry all the time. This is hard for me, but I’m getting better at it. Because of all the love shown me and the fact I got a little better at patience, I chose Galatians 5:22–25 as a verse that describes some of the blessings of my accident: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…”
—Robin Stadtfeld