We went to the boat at Shilshole Marina to watch the Christmas lights. There I met Eric. I had heard about him previously from friends, although here he was in the flesh. He was highly evolved spiritually and had led a life of travel, rigorous sports activities and acute mental exchanges.
10 years prior, he had a massive stroke while camping in the wilderness. With no readily available medical intervention, the effects of his stroke were devastating. He was left with limited physical mobility and little communicating function, no cognition, including when reading.
Without physical ability to move about the boat, Eric was placed in a comfortable spot protected from the elements but with visibility to the upcoming boat parade. With others milling around, from deck to cabin and such, I found myself alone with him on the frosty deck. He struggled to locate some specific papers in a briefcase tucked by his side, then handed me 2 articles; a laminated card stating his condition as I’ve outlined above and a piece of prose he had written a couple of years before his life changed.
The prose was deep and reflective; I piece written in a moment of awareness and enlightenment. With one syllable sporadic words, he was able to convey that he could not read. I asked if he would like me to read to him. With his affirmation, I read the piece using phone flashlight to see.
It’s hard to know how much or how deeply he understands. Based on his reaction at being read to, he may truly be a soul trapped inside a nonfunctioning body.
I came home and cried.
