Because I Have Been Given Much I Too Must Give

Today my Dial-a-Bus riders made me realize how much truth is in the statement, "I complained because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet."

The riders are either senior citizens without other transportation, or else people with disabilities. Here is today's list:

1) A 94-year-old woman recently widowed, was going to physical rehabilitation. She wanted to talk about whether suicide was acceptable. Her doctor is Steve Athay. (An elderly gentleman pulled me aside as I left the rehabilitation center wanting to know now much the rides cost. The answer is $1.50 because they are subsidized by ODOT.)

2) A 59-year-old man going to the Cancer Center for a follow-up visit on his recent radiation treatments.

3) A 21-year-old on his third day at his Cornerstone Work Center job. He is on a landscaping crew cutting laws. He is silent during the ride but always shakes my hand and thanks me for the ride as he leave the car.

4) A 7-year-old Down Syndrome girl named Anna and her mom. They had been to the library and stopped at Thriftway to buy a birthday cake for dad.

5) A mentally retarded 35-year-old on one of those motorized shopping carts at Winco Foods. He had recently switched apartments and was thrilled with how nice the other tenants were at the new place.

6) An autistic man who works every day for 4 hours as a janitor at a concrete company. He lives in the country with his recently widowed mom. He pointed out that he had just mowed their huge lawn. He has my schedule memorized and repeats it to me each time we meet.

7) A 50-year-old who had been to see the eye doctor. He, like all the others, thanked me for being a volunteer.

Today was unusual--nobody going to the beauty parlor or to the Senior Center for a free meal. Also none of my blind clients today.