Pictured in today’s image is first year camper, Janie Wiltshire, from Edisto Beach, South Carolina. The joy on her face says a lot about how much she values living an active lifestyle. Janie lost her leg when she was 5 years old, nearly 45 years ago. Her mom, named “Minnie“, was not one to give Janie any sympathy. As a child, Minnie was very instrumental in teaching Janie to walk properly in her prosthetic leg. Still today, Janie can hear her mother’s voice saying, “Walk right…stand up straight….look up”. Minnie passed away at a very young age many years ago from cancer.
A couple months ago, Janie was visiting ProCare Prosthetics in Buford, GA. Since I’ve known her, Janie has told me she has the “Vega” of prosthetics…referring to the age and relic of a prosthesis she’s been wearing for many, many years. Mostly relying on faith, Janie took my recommendation and decided to let Stephen Schulte at ProCare give her some thoughts on a new leg. She came down from S. Carolina on a Thursday and spent most of the day discussing options with Stephen. On that Friday morning, Stephen began the process of constructing a new leg for her. This new leg will have much more advanced technologies with things like elevated vacuum suction, titanium construction, a specially designed liner, and overall better design for comfort. Janie will have numerous changes to adjust to as she transitions from the old technology.
That same Friday, Janie eagerly and cautiously put on the new leg under the watchful eye of Stephen. Normally, patients put their new legs on then walk along a short path in the treatment room that has guide rails along each side so the individual can catch themselves if he or she falls. Guide rails were not an option for Janie. She instead decided she would test drive her new leg by walking down the hallway.
With her back to Stephen, Janie walked down the hallway, keeping in mind the words from her mother years ago. She walked right; she stood up straight; she looked up. As she walked down the hallway, Stephen picked up his cellphone from his pocket to answer a call. The phone was on vibrate, so Janie didn’t hear it ring. Stephen saw the caller ID and answered, “Hello, Minnie…”. Minnie Schulte is Stephen’s youngest daughter and Janie had no idea the names of any of the Schulte children.
Janie shuddered in the hallway and nearly fell over. Goose bumps were across her arms. “Minnie“, she thought, was as if Stephen had seen the ghost of her mother standing there in the hallway while Janie tried out the new leg.
Obviously, Janie’s mother Minnie, was not there in the hallway……or was she?
Believe what you want. I quit thinking there were coincidences in life a long time ago!
g2tprez
I would like to believe she was there. Love that story..