CaMp Global Ministries

Published by campministries@live.com · July 21 at 5:39pm · 
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This morning, a great group of volunteers met in Compassion Park to make snow cones, hand out cold drinks and homemade cookies. Many of those who came to help were folks none of us knew...and they brought a LOT of cookies. Shout out again to Darren Simpkins and Claire Binkowski for talking us up in the Cutting Horse community.  God is Jehovah Jireh the Lord who will provide.  And he seems to always provide abundantly!

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Today I was reminded, again, how easy it is to judge.  I'd like to think I am pretty accepting and that I give folks the benefit of the doubt.  I guess not so much. This gentleman in the center of the photo in the black t-shirt is the point of this post. This is David.  David was stumbling around with a cane, slurred speech, a bit too happy, a bit too helpful. It was easy to see that he was intoxicated.  I believe every volunteer there today spoke with David, was friendly and kind. Once the event was over, I asked David about his disabilities.  He is a veteran and had an honorable discharge from the Army.  In the Spring of 2008, David was hit by a hit and run driver in an auto vs pedestrian accident down there by Presbyterian Night Shelter. He was found bleeding, broken and near death. He went on to spend 15 days in a coma at John PeterSmith Hospital and later spent 15 months in a rehab facility learning to talk, walk, and take care of himself.  His behavior is NOT alcohol related but directly related to his traumatic brain injury and the brokenness of his body.  He wrote and recited a lengthy poem that talked about his accident, rehab and the feelings he is left with today.  In spite of it all, in spite of people making assumptions, in spite of being homeless, he praises the God who woke him from his coma, who gave him life and who still has a plan for him. 

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It is hard not to feel ashamed when I knew I was one of those very people who made the assumption he was drunk.  I take care of children with Traumatic Brain Injuries in my job.  As an intensive care nurse, we see the acute, immediate aspects of the injuries and work to heal the broken bodies.  We seldom see the aftereffects and the disabilities families are left with.  This was a wakeup for me.

 

Would you join me in praying for David? I was sure blessed by listening to him and awed by his story.