Emotional Story-Independence Day

Independence Day

Jerry and his wife, Cindy, were hosting their annual 4th of July party and this year was bigger than ever. They had tons of food, drinks, games, and of course their own fireworks. Jerry had always done the fireworks himself and this year was no different. He started shooting off fireworks at 9 pm sharp. Half way through the show, there was a complication with one of the firecrackers and Jerry was injured. That night Jerry lost his eyesight - permanently.

Jerry couldn't believe his whole life had changed in just an instant. He refused to accept it. He thought, "These doctors don't have a clue what they're talking about". When the nurses came to take him down for therapy, he yelled at them, "Get out of here, I don't need any therapy!" Cindy tried to convince him to go for therapy, but he practically bit her head off and told her to leave him alone. (Back to Q1)

Since Jerry was refusing therapy, it wasn't long before the hospital discharged him. Cindy kept wondering what they were going to do. She didn't know how to help a person who was blind learn to take care of himself. She knew Jerry could learn how to do many things on his own, but how was he supposed to if he didn't want to learn? She had so many questions and so few answers. She was used to Jerry being on her side for the tough decisions, now she felt very alone. She was also used to Jerry taking care of the major things like the bills and the house. She wasn't ready to take over his role. She had to figure out a way to change his way of thinking. (Back to Q2)

As soon as Jerry returned home he told Cindy that he wanted to do things for himself. Unfortunately, he didn't realize how difficult simple things like getting dressed, showering, and making breakfast were going to be. Much to his dismay, he soon found out everything presented a challenge. Jerry was not very good at talking about his feelings, but Cindy sure didn't have any trouble interpreting his vocal outbursts.

A week after returning home, Jerry became tired of trying to do things and failing. He was also too proud to ask for help so he eventually did nothing. He wouldn't get out of bed or shower and he barely ate. Cindy knew that it must be sinking in that he wasn't going to get his sight back. She tried talking to him, but he wouldn't say much. She also tried to talk to him about going to a school for the blind, but he just said he wasn't interested. He said, "I'm 50 years old. I'll take an early retirement. I know you could take good care of me Cindy. I'm too old to go back to school. You can't teach an old dog new tricks". (Back to Q3) Cindy left the room.

Two hours later, Cindy came back and barged into the room. "You are not getting your way on this one! I am not going to spend the rest of my life getting yelled at by you, or seeing you mope around so I'll feel sorry for you. You are way too smart for this and I'm not putting up with it. It's kind of ironic this happened on Independence Day, because that was the day you apparently lost your own independence! It doesn't have to be this way and you know it." She stood there waiting for a response. When she didn't get one, she walked out of the room and slammed the door. (Back to Q4)

Not knowing what else to do, Cindy went for a consultation at the school for the blind. She explained her situation and told them she needed some advice. One of the teachers, Rick, said he knew exactly what her husband was going through and had seen it many times before. He was blind himself and explained to her that very often it just took the person time to adjust. Eventually he would develop his independence at his own pace. Realizing that this didn't make her feel much better, Rick offered to go to their house and talk with Jerry.

Rick came by Cindy and Jerry's house the next day. At first Jerry was against meeting with Rick, but he eventually agreed. This was the first time Jerry had gotten out of bed in three days. Unfortunately for Rick, Jerry still refused to shower. Surprisingly, Jerry liked Rick right from the start. He felt that he could relate to him and that Rick understood what he was going through. Rick told Jerry about his own situation and some of his challenges. Jerry listened in amazement at how much Rick had accomplished. He said to Rick, "It's like you're not even disabled". Rick said, "I'm not. I'm blind, but by learning how to compensate for it, it is no longer a disability for me."

The next day Jerry enrolled in the School for the Blind. Six months later he was making tremendous strides. He still had lots of things to learn, but he was eager to do so. As Jerry became more independent, things were starting to get back to normal around the house. When Jerry and Cindy would go out to dinner, Jerry would joke, "It's my turn to drive!" "It's nice to see him smile again", Cindy thought. (Back to Q5)

	Independence Day Jerry and his wife, Cindy, were hosting their annual 4th of July party and this year was bigger than ever. They had tons of food, drinks, games, and of course their own fireworks. Jerry had always done the fireworks himself and this year was no different. He started shooting off fireworks at 9 pm sharp. Half way through the show, there was a complication with one of the firecrackers and Jerry was injured. That night Jerry lost his eyesight - permanently. Jerry couldn't believe his whole life had changed in just an instant. He refused to accept it. He thought, "These doctors don't have a clue what they're talking about". When the nurses came to take him down for therapy, he yelled at them, "Get out of here, I don't need any therapy!" Cindy tried to convince him to go for therapy, but he practically bit her head off and told her to leave him alone. (Back to Q1) Since Jerry was refusing therapy, it wasn't long before the hospital discharged him. Cindy kept wondering what they were going to do. She didn't know how to help a person who was blind learn to take care of himself. She knew Jerry could learn how to do many things on his own, but how was he supposed to if he didn't want to learn? She had so many questions and so few answers. She was used to Jerry being on her side for the tough decisions, now she felt very alone. She was also used to Jerry taking care of the major things like the bills and the house. She wasn't ready to take over his role. She had to figure out a way to change his way of thinking. (Back to Q2) As soon as Jerry returned home he told Cindy that he wanted to do things for himself. Unfortunately, he didn't realize how difficult simple things like getting dressed, showering, and making breakfast were going to be. Much to his dismay, he soon found out everything presented a challenge. Jerry was not very good at talking about his feelings, but Cindy sure didn't have any trouble interpreting his vocal outbursts. A week after returning home, Jerry became tired of trying to do things and failing. He was also too proud to ask for help so he eventually did nothing. He wouldn't get out of bed or shower and he barely ate. Cindy knew that it must be sinking in that he wasn't going to get his sight back. She tried talking to him, but he wouldn't say much. She also tried to talk to him about going to a school for the blind, but he just said he wasn't interested. He said, "I'm 50 years old. I'll take an early retirement. I know you could take good care of me Cindy. I'm too old to go back to school. You can't teach an old dog new tricks". (Back to Q3) Cindy left the room. Two hours later, Cindy came back and barged into the room. "You are not getting your way on this one! I am not going to spend the rest of my life getting yelled at by you, or seeing you mope around so I'll feel sorry for you. You are way too smart for this and I'm not putting up with it. It's kind of ironic this happened on Independence Day, because that was the day you apparently lost your own independence! It doesn't have to be this way and you know it." She stood there waiting for a response. When she didn't get one, she walked out of the room and slammed the door. (Back to Q4) Not knowing what else to do, Cindy went for a consultation at the school for the blind. She explained her situation and told them she needed some advice. One of the teachers, Rick, said he knew exactly what her husband was going through and had seen it many times before. He was blind himself and explained to her that very often it just took the person time to adjust. Eventually he would develop his independence at his own pace. Realizing that this didn't make her feel much better, Rick offered to go to their house and talk with Jerry. Rick came by Cindy and Jerry's house the next day. At first Jerry was against meeting with Rick, but he eventually agreed. This was the first time Jerry had gotten out of bed in three days. Unfortunately for Rick, Jerry still refused to shower. Surprisingly, Jerry liked Rick right from the start. He felt that he could relate to him and that Rick understood what he was going through. Rick told Jerry about his own situation and some of his challenges. Jerry listened in amazement at how much Rick had accomplished. He said to Rick, "It's like you're not even disabled". Rick said, "I'm not. I'm blind, but by learning how to compensate for it, it is no longer a disability for me." The next day Jerry enrolled in the School for the Blind. Six months later he was making tremendous strides. He still had lots of things to learn, but he was eager to do so. As Jerry became more independent, things were starting to get back to normal around the house. When Jerry and Cindy would go out to dinner, Jerry would joke, "It's my turn to drive!" "It's nice to see him smile again", Cindy thought. (Back to Q5)
	1. How did Jerry initially feel after his accident when the nurse told him he needed to go to therapy? He was yelling and snapping at people. "He refused to accept it". He was angry. Happy Sad Angry Fearful
	2. How did Cindy feel after Jerry got hurt and was being sent home without having learned how to do anything for himself? She worried about having to do things on her own that she didn't know how to do. She was fearful. Happy Sad Angry Fearful
	3. How did Jerry feel a week after he got home when he had difficulty doing things for himself? He wouldn't shower, eat, or get out of bed. He was sad. Happy Sad Angry Fearful
	4. How did Cindy feel after a few weeks of being yelled at and seeing her husband give up? She "barged" into the room. She slammed the door when she left. She was angry. Happy Sad Angry Fearful
	5. How do you think Jerry felt after attending classes at the School for the Blind? He was joking around more and became more active with his regained independence. He was happy. Happy Sad Angry Fearful			NEXT!