Martin

I had quite a few great experiences from this time in my life. First I want you to know before my visit to the nursing home, even after people had judged me by their preconceived conceptions of disabled people, I, myself was still stereotyping people with differences. After all I wanted to be treated like I had a brain in my head, like my life mattered and I'd become furious when this didn't happen. But I wasn't practicing what I preached. Shame on me!

As my new outlook on life developed I was given a lesson in humility many times over.

Let me tell you about a dear friend of mine named, Martin. He was a 50 year old, scrawny, stand-offish, mentally-challenged man, with the intelligence of a 5 year old, that everyone shied away from. He couldn't talk, yet he let his opinion be known through body language and angry grunts. He was born this way and had lived most of his life institutionalized. He was not a danger to anyone and never thought of escaping, being wheelchair bound, so they allowed him to roam the halls freely.

I had seen Martin in the halls many times, but in my ignorance, I pretended he was invisible. But when God changed my attitude I actually saw this marvelous man. One day as he scooted past me, I smiled saying cheerfully,"Hi Martin!" He jumped in shock. With no fear he screamed angrily, "AAAAAAAAAAAA!" while he rolled away and disappeared. I continued daily greeting him as cordially as possible and got similar results, but God kept reassuring me persistence was the key

One time I saw him and tried again, "Hi Martin! How are you?" Expecting it more now, he stopped in the middle of the hall and looked at me questioningly. I went closer and asked, "Do you feel strong today? Show me your muscles,"as I showed him the sign for strong. He smiled shyly and mimicked my movement. Then I asked him for a hug. With a wary look on his face, he opened his scraggly arms slowly, allowing me to lean in and give him a slight pat on his back.

This became a ritual and over time he got used to me. After a while, EVERY time he'd see me in the halls Martin would make a beeline my way with outstretched arms and a huge smile on his sweet face.

After a while, I taught him about a dozen signs. His favorite being cookie, which he used constantly. Soon people started communicating with Martin and he loved making others laugh, by showing off his muscles with a happy gleam in his eye, as they learned to ask to see them.

I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
Job 29:15

I am blessed

Merrym Dawn Mathis Bruce