And we think we have problems! Nan was one of the most inspiring people I have ever known. Although she couldn’t feed herself, dress herself, or even go to the bathroom without help, she did not let those challenges keep her from living a full life. If I ever get to feeling sorry for myself, all I have to do to get my perspective straight is remember that extraordinary woman.
Due to disfiguring rheumatoid arthritis at an early age, Nan was physically challenged in many ways. Her body never grew beyond the size of a small child. Her limbs and hands were, for all practical purposes, useless. The one exception was that she could, with great difficulty, grasp a pencil with one stiff hand. The ability to write, combined with her keen mind, enabled her to be successful in college, where she majored in English.
Living in a dorm, Nan required a roommate to help her do all the things she could not do for herself. Things like getting out of bed in the morning, brushing her teeth, taking a bath, dressing, and combing her hair. Things like getting into and out of her wheelchair, wiping her nose when she had a cold, eating meals, finding the books she needed from library shelves, and going where she needed to go.
Despite her disabilities, Nan made straight A’s in her college classes. Perhaps more important was that she made many, many friends. Never one to whine or complain about anything, most especially her own condition, Nan seemed genuinely happy. As a consequence, people were drawn to her. Everywhere she went, a little crowd of fans always seemed to surround her. Partly because she was funny and partly because she was one of the friendliest people on campus, others enjoyed being in her presence.
If her appearance was odd, that was quickly forgotten at the first glimpse of the mischievous smile on her face. Her wit and humor and friendly nature made her a joy to be around.
Although Nan was a true scholar, she certainly did not devote all of her time to studying and writing papers. On the contrary, she was very active outside of school. She loved to have fun, too. The life of any party she attended, she drank her beer with a straw and had no trouble persuading the guys to lift her tiny body out of her wheelchair for a whirl around the dance floor. No, she couldn’t stand or walk, but she certainly could dance! To Nan, life was a dance. And she wasn’t about to miss a number.
How did she do it? How did she accomplish so much? She could have sat back and done nothing. After all, her physical disabilities prevented her from doing ordinary things that most people take for granted. Instead, her indomitable spirit drove her to focus on the things she was able to do.
Nan went on to become a professor, teaching English composition and literature at the university level for a number of years before she passed away at a young age. Beloved of many, she leaves behind innumerable students and friends who saw in her a prime example of what it means to be a true winner.
Would that we all could do as well….
Copyright 2007 Carol Stewart and Licensors.
