I had to share this with you all because it just goes to show you that you can't judge someone without getting to know them first. I am so glad that I usually give people the benefit of the doubt.
The other day I was working out at the gym and a sweet gray-haired guy approached me about the Alabama Bowl game. He was so excited and he went on and on about the game. I had seen him before running around the neighborhood and could tell there was something "off" with him. When he talked he had a speech impediment and stuttered. He almost sounded like a stereotypical mentally retarded individual. It didn't help that English was definitely not his first language either. Normally, most women would have either walked away or felt uncomfortable... However, I began to listen to him and he was very articulate and his thought process was definitely normal. He just didn't SOUND normal and his motor skills were definitely impaired. After speaking to him he stopped and then said, "I am so sorry I sound like this... It's hard for me to speak. I have what the doctors call TBI (traumatic brain injury) and I am working hard to get my body back to normal. It has been a year now and I work every day to get stronger. I run two miles, I then get a little rest and then do jumping jacks to work on my motor skills. I spend most of the day exercising my body and mind. Up until recently I could barely talk and my balance was not very good. I live with my brother and he thinks I work too hard. I am not going to give up though. I have hope that one day I will be normal again. I have spoken to other individuals and it took them TWO years to get to where I am. That gives me so much hope."
I felt like crying after he explained that to me. It definitely made me look at myself and how sometimes we judge people subconsciously. It also made me think about society and how probably he must be treated on a daily basis. Do people treat him with respect? I sure hope so. Do people listen to him when he talks or just ignore him? I can only imagine.
I am so fortunate to have a healthy body and mind. I am thankful for my health and I treasure every day that I can work out and do what I want to do. I know that others are not so lucky and that it can all change in a blink of an eye.
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A healthy body and mind are worth
more than all the money in the world.
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1 comment:
I'll make sure to escort you to future workout sessions.
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