(These words were written by Arthur James Brooks Jr. and sent to Harlan B. Hodge. They are reposted here by Harlan and are unedited)
There I was placed in St. John's Comatose Rehabilitation slowly becoming more acclimated to life after the motorcycle accident. I still couldn't talk at that time nor could I walk, however, I was able to sit up and entertain company. When I say entertain company I mean simply sit up in my bed and listen to them communicate with me.
My progression was more advanced and I could even play the thumb wrestling game with my father. I was able to be moved in a wheelchair to the hospital cafeteria and the outside patio with my father to enjoy a change of surroundings and partake of a nice cafeteria meal at times. My father would simply just talk to me and I'd listen so very attentively. His conversing with me mutually helped the both of us deal with the difficult times that we were dealing with and the trying times we'd face in the future.
My father would speak to me very positively and I admired the many things that he'd have to do for me as my caregiver. Those moments that we'd spend at the hospital cafeteria and outside patio were refreshing for the both of us. I was able to breathe some fresh air from outside and it gave me a sense of invigoration and freedom. Those times I'd spend with my father were so encouraging and helped me better visualize the future, recuperated, productive Arthur James Brooks Junior.
My mother sister, cousins, aunts friends and such would come and visit me in my hospital room and that was so refreshing.
A great college friend of mine named Harlan Hodge also was a part of my support system. Harlan had flown out to Phoenix, Arizona in the past to visit me from St. Louis, Missouri. Harlan and I were tight friends and him seeing the traumatically brain injured, visually impaired, physically impaired man that I'd became was so difficult for him to witness. Harlan had known me is the confident, aspiring, young man that I was and for him to view me in such an impaired status at that time didn't coincide with the friend he'd come to know.
Harlan was married and his wife had recently been diagnosed with having Multiple Sclerosis and her health was declining greatly. One night Harlan was just feeling really unsettled because of his wife's poor health and he contemplated coming to visit me in my hospital room. Harlan was feeling really low because of his wife and he didn't know if he could quite handle seeing me in an impaired condition as well.
He was driving by the hospital and he decided that he'd just come and give me a visit and he decided to do so very hesitantly. Harlan wasn't in the best of moods because of the failing health of his wife, however, he also cared very much for my well being. Harlan decided that he'd come and pay me a quick visit and he just went on via his faith and companionship.
Harlan walked to my hospital room feeling tired, awkward and nervous. Now Harlan hadn't visited me in some time so he didn't know any digressions or progressions that I had made since he last visited me. Harlan that night was emotionally troubled because of his wife's health condition, but, he felt it necessary to come and at least give me a quick visit at the hospital.
Now the last time Harlan had come to visit me I wasn't even able to move my body at all. Harlan saw my mother at my bedside when he walked in the room and he greeted my mother. Now Harlan saw my mother talking to me like I understood her and Harlan figured that was her merely doing that for her own composure and peace of mind. Harlan listened to my mother just continue talking to me and his heart just went out to my mother.
My mother then said something to Harlan that shocked or surprised him and did place him into an awkward disposition for the moment. My mother then told Harlan that I was able to write my thoughts out on paper to a certain extent. Harlan was confused and my mother placed a pen in my right hand and placed my hand on a piece of paper. Harlan just stood there watching me and he was busy trying to comprehend just what he was watching.
I had known how difficult it was for Harlan to see me in the position that I was in considering the abilities that I had prior to the motorcycle accident. I was devout on improving myself completely and I wish to communicate that thought with him. My thoughts left my well being for the moment and focused on consoling Harlan.
I thought to myself exactly what I could write on this piece of paper to ease Harlan's worries about my state of being. I focused my self and wrote these words "Jus give me some time.". My mother handed the note to Harlan and he was so moved that he had to walk down the hall with joyful tears in his eyes.
Even though I couldn't talk I still was able to impart my thoughts to my great friend to help ease his concerns and pain about my situation. Harlan said that note that I wrote to him replenished, reinvigorated and stabilized his thoughts and spirits. I was able to communicate that simple sentence to Harlan and that is what I truly felt and proclaimed even if it was by just jotting it down on a little piece of paper.
