I was also touched by one grandmother’s love for her grandson. Her son’s wife had died and her son was an alcoholic. This left their son to the care of his grandmother. This grandson will be turning seven in September and I have already been invited to his birthday, which I hope I will be able to attend. He weighs about 45 pounds and has a really hard time controlling his legs. He is unable to sit on his own and has to be carried everywhere. His grandmother had not had a rest in 7 years and was so appreciative of the small things we were able to do that gave her a chance to rest for a few minutes during camp.
On the first day, I took him swimming. He loved swimming along and splashing anyone that came near. He loved to smile and laugh and play. He kept looking for his grandmother and smiling and waving at her as he splashed around in the pool.
A wheelchair was brought for him to use at camp (normally he was pushed around in a stroller) and by the end of the two days he had figured out how to wheel himself around. He enjoyed wheeling himself in circles at first and as he got better he started being able to go in straight lines both forward and backward. I think he really enjoyed the idea of being able to accomplish something.
As I think back on him and his life, I continue to return to his grandmother’s love. She loves him so much that she has devoted all of her time to caring for him and making sure that he has all that he needs, despite her tiredness and her son’s lack of responsibility. I hope that in the future, she is able to continue to do things with Cornlius Project that allow her to have a short break and allow him to enjoy interacting with others.
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