My Visit With an Imprisoned Giant

I just want to share a few details of my incredible visit with David Poe today. For starters, I just randomly decided to go visit after a birthday party I'd done at NH Club, So in my all-pink costume--wig and all, I first stopped at Dunkin' Donuts (as per request,) and purchased a mixed dozen, trekked over to Raleigh Rehab's 4th floor. Found David in his room, and it was like no time had ever passed since I last saw him 44 years ago. I had decided to take my balloon bag in with me, and it turned out to be a great decision. In conversing with David, he shared that he had developed a love interest there, and one thing leading to another, I wound up making a fully "blown" balloon bouquet of around 16 balloon flowers, in assorted colors on green balloon stems, with a balloon bear holding onto one of them--and gathered them together in a bouquet. Next, David and I composed a poem to express his feelings, to accompany his balloon bouquet gift. (He can no longer use his hands, so I did the writing.)

The aides then loaded him into his electric wheelchair and I followed him down the hall to her room, where he presented his gifts to her. There was an understanding of love in the room; it was palpable. She has MS, and David, a myriad of ailments, however, what they share is a secret, only known to the two of them, and it is so strong and pure.

For all of us who grew up with David and believed him to be “slow,” visiting him is a cathartic experience, certainly capable of helping each one of us, especially at this stage of life, to know who we are and to love and appreciate the life we have been given--all of it. David told me the detailed story of the pain his family suffered while he was in a long coma following his being hit by a car, and how the man who was driving that wound up being the President of a college where David would later be offered a free ride.

David had me laughing, and in stitches-literally, with his stories. He needs people he can tell them to. Please go listen, you will be so blessed. He told me he tried college, but he had been diverted by a passion for “deer hunting.” He looked at me and asked, “ Did you know that there are two species of deer? There are the four-legged kind, and then there are the two-legged kind.” I gave him a puzzled glance, to which he responded, ”I, myself, was always interested in the two-legged kind. And whenever they would ask me where I would hunt for these of the two-legged variety, I would respond: At the malls, on the streets, at swimming pools, at the beach, and at parties.” He shared “I’m still a ‘deer/dear’ hunter.” David asked me if I thought it was worthless for him to be hoping for this love interest of his at Raleigh Rehab to one day be his bride, to which I responded, “David, anything’s possible.” He responded with “That’s what she says.” I smiled, and was happy to see that David was smiling, too.

David divulged a secret to me that brought back forgotten fashion-trend memories of the times--not to mention surprise at a new discovery. He talked about how, among his fonder memories, he places me and Leigh Turner prominently, as she and I used to wear “bloomers” under our dresses, and he used to enjoy looking at them. I am thinking about those “pettipants” of yore--had actually forgotten about that trend.

David has literally been living in a prison of a broken body ever since his first day of second grade. For all of his life until he was moved into Raleigh Rehab, he lived with his family. His mother now is suffering from dementia, but still requests that her family take her to visit “her baby” every Sunday. David told me he dearly wishes he could once again live with her. He is certainly making the very best of his life, and of his situation. He is a champion. Please, please go visit David. If nothing else, remember the “Golden Rule.” We grew up with it, and there’s still time to apply it.

Why do I share so much? I guess because I would love to think it might inspire others to visit David. I promise every one of you that you will leave your visit with him better off than you were when you arrived. God bless us all.