Seeing Possibilities
Everywhere we turn these days, now more than ever, we are met with rules, regulations, and limitations. Even where there were once no complications or hurdles to overcome they now exist in the name of COVID!!! So it’s no surprise that when you get to spend time with someone who sees the world full of possibilities and limitations as mere speed bumps along the road only to be challenged, it makes for both an incredible and inspiring experience. My dear 86 year old friend, Franco, suffered from polio as a child. As a young boy growing up in Italy during a war there was very little that could be done about it. It was accepted as an act of God and their knowledge about it was very limited as was their treatment of it. His parents noticed at a young age his poor balance and how he would often fall. Taken to a doctor he was diagnosed with polio but the treatment at that time was to put his left hand in water with a feeble electrical current in hopes of stimulating the nerves- it didn’t work. Because of his polio, his left side has always been weaker requiring the right side to over compensate for this, as well as his feet growing to different sizes. His parents did the best they could to provide adequate footwear but years and years of ill fitting shoes have taken a toll. Two years ago his right knee required a replacement because of this overuse and compensation. Franco’s physical mobility has been a lifelong challenge; one which he has accepted and managed with incredible resiliency and determination. On a recent trip to Kelowna, Franco and I got to talking about his younger years and how he use to love riding bicycles as a boy, but because of age and fear of loss of balance had not ridden one in years and how he longed to experience it again. Together we resolved to find a way. As we began our search unfortunately each inquiry was met with opposition, disbelief, safety concerns, liabilities, age factor, physical limitations, and yes of course COVID restrictions!! That was until we found Kelowna Bike Rentals whose mandate is to provide inclusive and impactful physical activities for those with limitations such as mobility challenges. They were all too eager to set Franco up with a tandem recumbent bike which enabled him to cycle along the lakeshore and enjoy the views and sights along the way. As we breezed along the lakeshore people smiled back at us and Franco was able to experience an activity which he thought would never again be possible. Feeling empowered by his biking experience I soon realized that the bike trip would not suffice Franco’s quest for adventure and curiosity when he began hinting about how much he would enjoy hiking along the old railway trestles of Myra Canyon. I was a bit of a skeptic myself at first, but gave in to the notion that if Franco could dream it, we would find a way! Once again our inquiries led to more opposition, negativity, and disbelief that it could be done. However, Franco persevered determined to do the trestles. So with the use of a wheelchair he was able to walk/ride along the trail enjoying every bit of the scenery, railway trestles, tunnels, views of the lake, chipmunks, and the history of this piece of railway. Franco was able to enjoy these activities because he believed in himself, felt strongly about his dreams and was able to push aside all the chatter and counterproductive preconceptions of the limitations of his age, his polio, and his physical abilities. Because of his “up for anything” attitude, his resiliency, optimism and determination, and a perseverance like none other he is able to live each moment to the fullest. I just hold on tight and hang on for the ride!! How lucky am I to have such a remarkable friend.❤️
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