The corridors were empty but for the sound of the night. The tyres whirred on the red linoleum where nothing moved, except for the light dust beneath the wheels. Her body was weak and frail from age and sickness, but her mind wandered as my mother cruised the quiet lengths of her captor’s reins. Diana did not feel trapped by her wheelchair like others she knew, as for her, a new freedom was found by its confines. She had only known restrictions from the past ills that robbed her of the ability to walk, run, or play. What she had now was a new start at age sixty-two. Not old by the worlds standards, but her health had aged her, robbed her and crippled her. Diana’s memory was shaded and her childlike mannerisms made others think senility had beset her. In the lonely corridors however, no one questioned her abilities, her senility, or inhibited her movement. While other older folk slept in their ward like beds, Diana was on her nightly jaunts.
Freedom came at a price. Not to mention the many setbacks in life, and family issues. The countless months in hospital where Diana had to lose a leg, due to a knock, which formed into a bruised toe, then another, then began to turn into gangrene, then turning into an unfortunate amputation. Two toes gone and many months in recovery, laid up in hospital. Yet no respite; the foot was being taken over by rotting flesh, like black tar on a newly paved road. The doctors concerned decided to lop off the leg to stop the spread. Some faces showed sorrow. This indeed was not a thing one wants to endure, and as Diana looked into the faces of remorse, she dealt with her loss. Diana became aware that this loss had given her great gain. She met people that had shown her true compassion and friendship. She had found this new freedom she had never known before. Her freedom was interrupted three times a week when she wandered other corridors of her life. The ambulance or taxi would arrive at the nursing home, and take her to the hospital for Dialysis. Upon arrival she was able to wander new hallways, and meet new faces in her travels.
Diana was almost deaf, didn’t have great eyesight, and had poor health since a child; seemingly dependent on others at all times. Her life was not her own, but in her wheelchair she was allowed to find a new spirit. As I look back at her life, I am proud of her perseverance.
The sun shone as James clung to the wire and post fence running along the boundary of his farm. James wore his farm attire of drill long sleeve shirt, khaki green pants and his rugged worn steel cap work boots. He rode the boundary lines in his trusty Ute which was worn and battered like his boots. Sitting beside him was his faithful black dog, Jasper. The rear gate of his property had required fixing, so taking a few tools from his toolbox, he set to work. He unhinged the gate and laid it on the ground. He sidturbed the grassy marsh in the process. A log lay on its side nearby but was not a bother to him. He had plenty of room to work. It was quiet in the paddocks, and James like to be outdoors. He loved working the farm and enjoyed the warm sunshine on his back as he toiled. Jasper was yapping and chasing field butterflies without a care in the world. James picked up the hammer he had laid down on the grass earlier, and forcefully brought it down with a thud. The clasp sprang back and snapped off the metal panel. A new plate was screwed into place where the other panel had been, after drill holes had been made using the cordless drill. Once James was happy he lifted the gate off the ground and placed it back into position.
“Jasper” James called as he packed up his tools. Jasper was going crazy near the log, barking and twirling around like he was chasing his tail.
“Jasper, come here boy,” James said looking up to see Jasper, who was coming towards him. James patted him and gave him a treat. Jaspers favourite beef jerky doggy biscuit.
James put the tools, and box of dog biscuits away and as he went to open the door of his Ute, for Jasper to jump inside, he felt a sharp pain penetrate his lower leg. Looking down he saw a snake slithering into the distance. James quickly realised why Jasper had been acting crazily, it wasn’t because of the butterflies. He also knew he had to put his mind into action. James had to tie a ligature around his led to stop the venom from travelling to his heart. He also was aware, he had to get help immediately. There was no time to let his thoughts wander. James reached behind his seat and took some rope he kept there along with some rags. He secured the rope with a knot and cushioned it over the top of a layer of cloth. He had to pull the rope tight so the cloth wasn’t really much of a cushion but it did protect his skin from burning as he pulled the tension. With that done, he picked up the receiver on his CB radio and called his wife at the ranch house.
“Ring an ambulance, I’ve been bit!” he said as he raced home along the track with his trusty mate bouncing up and down in unison with the utility’s pace, as it sped over corrugated dirt.
“She’ll be right mate!” James said, more as a comfort to himself, than for the dog.
When James arrived home his wife ran to the Ute with a bag in her hand. She informed James that the ambulance was on its way, but as it was such a long way into town, that it was best if they drove half way and met up with it.
“Hop in love.” James said as he turned on his hazard lights in preparation for the trip. He drove down his driveway and ventured down the highway. He had done this trip before and knew that having his hazard lights on meant the ambulance would know it was them as they approached. A few kilometres along the highway, James saw with familiar recognition, flashing lights. There was no need for the siren in these back woods. He pulled over to the curb and waited for the ambulance driver to do the same. James told his wife not to worry. She was going to continue onto the hospital driving the utility, while James travelled the remainder of the distance in the back of the ambulance. He reassured his wife that he was feeling fine and everything was going to be okay.
The paramedics took a look at James’ bandaged leg and put him in the back of the ambulance. They took his vitals and commented on the great job he had done. They told him they would leave it as it was as they saw no need to redress it. They were just going to transport him and keep an eye on his vital signs. They asked James what had happened and for basic information about his health, then passed some of the information onto the hospital so they could be ready to treat James when they arrived.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the ambulance pulled into the bay and a waiting wheelchair was ready for James. He did not need a gurney. He was then wheeled into the emergency department. He had to wait a short while as the Ambulance personnel dealt with hospital staff. James was told he would be seen to very quickly.
James felt fine, in fact he was quite jovial and was chatting away happily. Coming to the city was really an adventure for him. Not something he did often and was something of a thrill in itself whenever he got the chance. As James was chatting away he noticed a lady in a red jacket, also in a wheelchair. She was waiting by the hospital clerk and the Ambulance officers not far away from where he was.
“Hi, has my transport been arranged?” she asked in a pained voice.
“Yes Diana, won’t be long now.” The clerk said as Diana fumbled in her bag. The coat she had draped over the arm of her wheelchair slipped and dropped to the floor. Seeing this James left his wheelchair and picked it up for her. He smiled as he handed it to her. He went back to his wheelchair and sat down again. Diana got her bag and coat organised and moved her wheelchair a little closer to James. The two of them struck up a warm, friendly chat. Diana smiled as James recanted his predicament with mirth in his tone. He felt his troubles were minor compared to Diana’s and wanted to make her smile. He could see she had a few health issues, they were clearly evident. He felt compassion for this woman even though he did not know her. He felt compelled to invite her to his farm for a break away from the hospital routine.
“James, we are ready for you now,” the orderly said as he took hold of the handles to wheel James into the treatment room.
Diana waited for Mike the taxi driver who drove one of the disabled persons taxis. She sometimes had to wait a long time, but Diana didn’t mind for she had a fondness for Mike, there were a number of other drivers who drove the disabled taxis but Mike showed her a little more compassion and understanding then most of the others, and she preferred him. Mike’s wife was also on dialysis so she guessed this made him more sympathetic in his approach to her and his work.
While Diana waited, she often saw and spoke to other regulars that waited in the emergency department waiting room. She wasn’t prone to talking to strangers. It seemed like any average day in the hospital life she had grown accustomed to. The staff and the day to day run of the emergency department were no different to any other day. The emergency department waiting room was also the area where the disabled taxis picked up their patients requiring transportation. This was due to the ramp that led into a large parking bay. As well as a larger parking area, suitable for larger vehicles that required the wide open span enabling the driver to open doors and extending ramps on the vehicles for the disabled.
Diana wheeled her electric wheelchair outside into the bay, so she could get some fresh air. Mike was not there yet, but she was quite content. The hospital was not a scary place for her; in fact it was like a second home to some degree. The staff gave Diana special liberties that other patients were not privileged. The staff often let her wander at her own leisure.
An ambulance arrived as she sat there pondering the evening ahead. Diana watched as staff rushed to the rear of the ambulance. A nurse and doctor come running from the hospital entrance toward the ambulance. What a hive of activity Diana thought as the doors of the ambulance were opened. Inside lay an injured woman. Diana felt sorry for the once beautiful blonde haired woman, but right now this woman was not looking all that great. Her hair was matted in blood, and her clothes were torn and bloodied. Although she had a blanket over her, the woman’s face looked pale, and blotchy. A patchwork of blood, bruising and tears clearly evident to onlookers. It pained Diana to see his woman so distraught and lost in confusion.
As the ambulance officers wheeled the gurney with the woman out of the ambulance and placed the gurney with her on it, onto the ground, Diana met the woman’s gaze. Diana was overcome with compassion for this young lady. She didn’t know why, for she did not know her, or anything about her, but Diana felt a deep sense of concern and thought she would ask staff about the woman when Diana was next at the hospital, that was if she could remember to ask.
James went home after receiving treatment with anti-venom. His wife was beside him when the doctors told him how lucky he was that he acted quickly. He left the hospital and travelled back to his farm, grateful that he could identify the snake and that he had undertaken regular first aid lessons.
Arriving at the hospital a few days later, Diana learnt the woman’s name along with her condition. She also found how she came to be in such a state. The woman had just been married and was in a car being driven by her new husband. They had been driving back from Melbourne where they had their honeymoon, when the car her husband was driving had a blowout. This caused the car to career off to one side, and as her husband tried to regain control, the steering jammed and caused the car to veer into the oncoming traffic. Jake died instantly and Sarah was trapped until emergency staff cut her from the wreckage.
Sarah was mending on the outside, but inside, she was struggling. Her emotions were at a low and she questioned “Why?” She did not want to speak to family and friends, and they were at a loss as they tried to get Sarah to open up and talk about the accident and the loss of her husband. The family were concerned for Sarah and felt she should open up and talk as a means of healing They did not want her to compound her health problems further by keeping everything bottled up inside. Sarah’s family often left her side wondering what to do.
Diana took it upon herself to ask about the young woman on each visit. One day as she asked about Sarah, a nurse asked if she would like to visit her. Diana said she would, although this was not her normal practice, she had never taken an interest in any other person admitted before. The nurse gave Diana the room number and left it up to Diana to visit if she felt inclined.
Diana went to Sarah’s room and wheeled herself beside Sarah’s bed, day after day. She would sit there and she would wait, silently waited. This went on for some time, until one day, out of the blue Sarah said, “Why do you sit with me, a total stranger?” in a forlorn raspy voice.
“I have nothing better I would rather do!” was all Diana said.
The routine continued and in silence they met. Diana willing the woman to get better and the woman thankful that Diana could be there without questioning, or pressuring her. Sarah welcomed Diana’s visits as strange as they may have seemed to others; but Sarah felt warmth between them that encouraged her to get well.
Diana didn’t visit anyone who was admitted to the hospital as a rule, nor did she make it a practice to talk to total strangers, for she was a loner by nature. To a few chosen people she made an exception. Diana would open her heart and do things out of the norm, and if Diana liked you, you had a friend for life, if she didn’t, then you knew that too, for she could be abrupt and rude in her manner. Diana seldom showed her deep compassionate side, it was a rare thing for her and seldom was evident to others.
Sarah recovered physically after months in hospital. Emotionally she still had a few battles to win, but regardless of this she returned to her home where she had to adjust to not having her husband by her side.
Approximately six months after Sarah went home; Diana’s family placed a notice in the papers informing readers that Diana has passed away. The family had no idea how far reaching the notice had gone until the day of the funeral service. Many had come from all walks of life. Some had come from far distant places. As the family focussed on the celebration of her life, many had to to say thank you. They had come to pay homage to a woman who encouraged them in ways that Diana herself probably would not have been aware of. No doubt Diana would have been shocked, as her family were, for the chapel was packed with hospital staff, taxi drivers, patients, family and friends.
After the heartfelt service in which Diana’s family paid tribute through song, video presentation and her daughter reading the eulogy, the gathered mourners were invited to remain for a cuppa, and a time of reflection in the adjacent room.
People gathered their thoughts and belongings together, ready to enter the refreshment area. James looked at the woman sitting next to him, for she seemed very quiet and reserved. She also looked a little unsure of herself. He sensed that like him, she was not family, or known by the family. He said hello, and Sarah looked up to see a man extending a hand in a warm gesture.
“Hi, I’m James,” he said. “I met Diana at Flinders Medical Centre. I felt compelled to come today, although I only met her briefly. Did you know her well?” he asked.
“Not really.” Sarah said. “She helped me through a tough time. I was laid up in hospital and her visits to my bedside helped me get through the struggle. Her quiet unquestioning acceptance was a great encouragement to me.” Sarah said with tears forming in her eyes.
As the family walked to the car park, Terri wondered who James and Sarah were. She did not recognise them as people their mother knew.
‘Hey Helen, who were those people, you know the couple that were standing in the corner chatting. What were their names, Sarah and James... Any idea?” “Have you met them before?” Terri asked her sister.
“Nah, they said mum befriended them at Flinders.” Helen said disinterested.
“What mum?” Terri said somewhat disbelieving.