Counter Data.com

website traffic company Counter

Time for a Cuppa!

The Magazine

For all the Family

The Nick Hardy Story

From the desk of Nick Hardy
September 27, 1998

I sure was scared about hurricane Georges headed our way. I know that if it hit here with the same speed it did in Key West, (which was a minimal hurricane), our house would have be severely damaged. I tried to do what I could and I know it was not enough. But, as it turned out, we were spared. In fact, it just seemed like a stormy day, which is nothing unusual for here. We didn't have too much rain, but it was windy for sure. I feel sorry for the people in the Northern part of the Gulf of Mexico. They are going to get hit hard.

On Friday night as the storm was approaching, I had difficulty sleeping. Lots of worry of course, but something kept coming back to my mind from an earlier time in my life. I guess the thought of having myself blown away got me to thinking. Anyway, the "dream" kept repeating itself, and something inside said to share it with you. So, here it is. This actually happened to me.

I was around 6 or 7 years old. It was just before the Salk vaccine came out against polio. During the summer months, my family would go from the city (Kingston, Pennsylvania) and move to our place up in the mountains near a big lake. My great grandfather built the cottage out of logs. I loved it so much because it was a time for me to be close to nature. I didn't get along too well with my family, so I used to run off in the woods all day. Shortly after moving there, I was out playing with Ned who lived down the road from my cottage. It was in the morning and it seemed to come on me so fast, but I had a sick feeling and my right leg didn't seem to move right. I was in no pain, but surly didn't feel good. I can recall walking home on the gravel road, dragging my leg. It just didn't seem to want to work as usual.

It was around noon. When I got home, my Mom said I should go to bed and rest, and to brush my teeth before I went to bed. When I came to the sink and tried to pick up my toothbrush, it just fell out of my hand and dropped into the sink. When I reached for it, my fingers would not close around it. I really got scared and cried out to my mother. She came in and didn't know what to do. Next day, my father took me back to town and the doctor came to our house and checked me out. I could look in his eyes and knew something was wrong. He took my father aside and although they talked softly, I knew the worst was yet to come. I had polio. It affected my whole right side. It was not good. I was sent to a special hospital for children who had this and were about to die. They didn't understand it too much back then. I was put in to isolation; no one could come near without being properly protected. There were about 40 other kids there. I was scared to be sure.

The treatment they gave twice a day was as follows. First, there was no a/c and it was in Summer time, which made it quite warm. They would put me on my bed which was covered in plastic, then sheets over that. A large pressure cooker, looking like an old time washing machine was rolled in. When they opened it, steam came out all over. They would take these hot cloths and wring them out, and lay them all over me. Talk about jumping around. Even with my right side paralysed, they would bring in several people to hold me down until all the hot cloths were laid over me. I guess the theory was to sweat it out. A large bucket of ice water was placed near the bed with a long straw to my mouth so I could keep drinking water. When I calmed down, they left me there to sweat and think.

Almost every day or so, another child died. They would come and say, "Sally is no longer with us, or Tommy, or Judy." We all knew that it wouldn't be long before they would cover us with sheets and take us away. I truly didn't understand death at that time, but I knew "away" meant something not good. But, after awhile, I just resolved myself that my time would come, and in a way, it would be a blessing.

As time went on I was still around. I was bored and alone. Even if family came, they would wheel you into a room that had a big glass window. You had to yell through the window to be heard, but no touching or being near. It was like a prison. I wondered why me, thinking I did something terribly wrong in my life.

At night, I could hear a train pass by my window, so I started to shine a flash light out at the train. Everyone I guess knew what was in that hospital and what was the fate of the occupants. Anyway, the train people soon started shinning lights back at me. Each night I looked forward to it, and would smile that some unknown train man thought of me. I felt loved and excited. Even during the day as the train passed, they would toot their horn and I knew it was for me. (Right now I have tears in my eyes just recalling this). I was so touched by their kindness. I had a stronger will to live. When I wondered when I was to die, a small voice inside said, it is not your time. I didn't understand God at that time, but He was there.

Well, to make it short, as the summer went on, everyone died except one kid. Doctor's and nurses couldn't understand why this kid didn't die. I had more people come into the room, just checking me out. They seemed puzzled. After about 2 weeks of being the only patient in this hospital, they sent me home and closed it down. I wore braces and had to use a wheel chair. You wouldn't know that today if you saw me, but now you know.

So, from that day on, I knew there was something special for me. Somedays I am still looking. But I was so touched by other peoples kindness, that it has become a part of my life. And since then I have grown a special relationship with God. That is why I am a spiritual person. This is just one incident of many that brought me to where I am today.

I hope you enjoyed my story and it has inspired you in some way.

Here's some great new writers

The Nick Hardy Story (Don't miss it!)

Bobby R Woodall Author of "Mercer's Manor"

Read more of Bobby R Woodall's work

More excellent work by Bobby R Woodall

My novels can be seen at

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/onetear1.htm

http://www.btinternet.com/~mikeco158/cuppa1.htm

*****

Sign my GuestBook - Read my GuestBook