Claire Wineland

-
Do yourself  favor...

...go read the CNN recap of Claire Wineland’s life.

Wineland was a social media darling and an inspirational speaker in her short life. She died at the age of 21 after suffering a massive stroke following a double lung transplant.

She’d suffered all of her life with Cystic Fibrosis, and spent a good portion of her life in hospitals where she would cause all kinds of trouble with her good-natured banter with doctors, nurses, specialists and other patients.

Two things really struck me about the recap of her days.

She’d shared so much, with such a unique perspective. Yet something she said to her Mom about death hit me.

She wasn’t afraid to die because she figured that in death she would be a part of everything with everyone who was left and carried her in their heart.

A pretty wonderful thought.

Wineland hadn’t wanted to put her family through the battle of a double lung transplant. She initially declined to go through such a procedure, but she got even sicker.

And changed her mind.

She wanted to live a little longer to continue with her message.

She made an inspirational video for those who followed her battle.

“Go enjoy your life,” she begged her audience. “Because there are people who are fighting to stay alive. Just enjoy your life.”

She received the transplant on August 26th and the initial news was good, but then she suffered the massive stroke that eventually killed her on Labor Day.

There was only a 3% chance that a stroke might occur.

So, the odds beat her once.

But she kicked the crap out of the odds for a full 21-years...

...and that made me smile.

“Go enjoy your life.”

“In death I’ll be a part of everything.”

Incredible thoughts from a pretty incredible young woman.

May she Rest In Peace.

I have a feeling she will.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more