I had the privilege of spending last weekend with one of the most fascinating women I know. Ann's paternal grandmother, lovingly referred to as "Grandma Jean," is one of those people who has what can only be described as "spunk." When she was 18 months old, she contracted polio. The doctors told her parents she had pretty much no chance at survival, but through her mother's and grandmother's care, she pulled through. At the end of it, she was left effectively paralyzed from the waist down. When she was old enough, her father fashioned a pair of canes out of tree branches (which she still has today) and she learned to walk.
I can't imagine trying to live with a disability like that in today's world, much less 70 years ago when society was much less accommodating of the disabled. But it didn't slow her down one bit: she went on to have a career as a ham radio operator (not a hobby, a career), run her own seamstress business, get married, and raise two boys. Disciplining those two boys must have been difficult without being able to walk, but I'm guessing they received the violent end of those canes more than once.
So here's to a woman who, before women were allowed to do such things and with a potentially-limiting handicap, had a job, took care of her husband, ran a household, and corralled two kids.
Grandma Jean, you rock.
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I wrote this once but did not know haw to send it. Just talked to Rob and he explained so will try again. I washumbled by your blog. I guess I have never realized that I have done anything great as it was a case of doing what had to be done at the time. God graced me with a fine mate and two wonderful sons, who have become a blessing, as you know. You helped in giving me two wonderful grands and what else could a person want. Thanks for making me see how fortunate I am.
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