Coming Full Circle

posted on Aug 04 by Linda Beck in the Guest Authors, Linda Beck category

An invitation from the National Multiple Sclerosis Association to attend a carefree weekend at no expense (other than the cost of gas) was too intriguing to turn down. This was my first long distance trip alone in my handicapped conversion van. I figured it would be a good trial run for the upcoming trips I will be taking as a speaker for Christian Women’s club. It would not matter if I were a little late this trip like it will when I am to speak at a certain time at a meeting.

My odometer was at 62,000 and when I finally arrived it was 62,090. I only got lost twice but God sent an angel both times to help me find my way. I had never been to Stokesdale, NC and did not realize how close to the Virginia border it is. There is some beautiful country of rolling hills and curves.

After registration at Camp Carefree, we had a nice dinner and were entertained by a comedian. I had some trouble because there was a lot of noise in “The Barn” and my hearing is getting worse with age. This camp is supported by the NC Elks and the Rotary Club and is a wonderful place for disabled children. (They really could use at least a portable sound system…if anyone is in a position to help, I’m sure it would be greatly appreciated.) We played “Campo” which is just misspelled “Bingo” and I won a flower for my yard!

As it got later, I got colder and decided to retire to the cabin. Since we were to take our own linen, I borrowed a sleeping bag from my daughter hoping I would stay warm. (IT’S MINE NOW, SONYA.) When I got to the cabin, I was so surprised to find a low toilet and no handicapped rails. As I so often do, I said to myself, “I thought this was supposed to be handicapped accessible.” When I call for a handicapped motel room, I sometimes arrive to discover the word “handicapped” is often misconstrued.

The cabins are like those in youth camps or military bunk houses. The bed was too low so my roommates were stacking mattresses and did so for me. All was well until I needed to go to the bathroom during the night. When I put my palm on the mattress to push up, both plastic mattresses slid and down I went.

I laid in the floor thinking back sixteen years when I went to a Joni and Friends Disability Retreat in Charlotte, NC. The first night my roommate startled me awake crying out, “Help me, please!” She was in her late sixties and after watching her struggle with multiple sclerosis, I couldn’t help but wonder if I would be that way if I lived that long. And that’s when the name for this story presented itself. I was her “Good Samaritan” and now someone else was mine. I had come FULL CIRCLE. A young girl in my cabin went and got the counselor to come; he picked me up and put me right on my scooter. Thank God, once again I didn’t get hurt! Sometimes we have to humble ourselves and ask for help. The second night I remembered that my transfer board was in the van so by using it, I got up twice without disturbing anyone.

The morning program was held in a lovely outdoor pavilion with a yoga instructor. I didn’t think I had ever done yoga, but discovered it is very similar to the chair exercises I learned in therapy. With the strong wind in the shade, I got too cool so I moved out into the sunlight and wrote part of this trip journal. All the lanes are paved so I was able to ride all around and saw the llamas, goats and other animals in the petting zoo. I watched the children being led around in the arena on the horses. There were lush pastures with a solid mass of beautiful yellow flowers. (Those flowers are mowed off as weeds in my yard.)

Most of Saturday was rest time for the adults with activities for children. Saturday evening we played games as if we were in New York City. There was a lot of fellowship and laughter.

Sunday morning devotions and music were conducted by Doneen Key and her parents. We were invited to go just a couple miles to see the Talking Murals at Mount Tabor which is their home church in Madison, NC. Meeting this family and seeing this presentation that I had never heard of was the highlight of my trip. Mr. Key was kind enough to tell me an easier way to get back home without all the interstate exchanges and the heavy traffic. When I arrived in my driveway, the total distance driving my van was 165 miles and it used about half a tank of gas.

Owning a handicap van (in spite of the debt) is the best move I’ve made in a long time. I wish I had not waited so long…wasted time that can’t be regained, and a lot of payments would be in the past. If you have a disability and can come up with a plan, don’t wait. Buy yourself a handicapped conversion van!