Tough guys have friends too

DEAR EDITOR:

I’m a retired school teacher and have been a member at the YMCA in Rutland for 33 years, going there just about daily for my swim and workout.

20 years ago, I met a young lad working for maintenance in charge of cleaning and sanitation etc.

His name is Collin Morrison.

Over time, we became friends going to Dairy Queen for lunch and at times munching homemade beef jerky and shooting the breeze.

Collin always did a great job and earned everyone’s respect and friendship.

Collin has a disability and gets a pension, but he’s willing and able to work and make a contribution to society. His Mom Madelaine also works at the YMCA as a volunteer on Tuesdays.

Last year, while helping his brother Scott move, their van was struck on an icy mountain highway, and Scott was killed.

Collin was severely injured spending many months in hospital and rehabilitation.

For many days, he was not able to process the news of his brother’s death. He underwent many surgeries, endured neverending pain and agony, but prevailed and soldiered on.

The community stepped up and raised funds and made Mom’s home wheelchair accessible.

Lifeguards Stan and Bill and maintenance chief Chuck gave us members frequent updates on Collin’s progress, and we could see there’s no quit in this silent hero, who’s an example for the unbeatable human spirit.

But Fate wasn’t done with Collin yet. More slings and arrows. His Dad passed away, leaving Madelaine and her son with more grief and agony. In one of our conversations, Collin told me that he’s persevering for her sake, as she lives for him. Hope eternal. Every breath he takes gives Mom more oxygen.

For the rest of us, let’s walk in his shoes – while he wishes he could – and put our troubles in perspective and quit our moaning and show gratitude for what we have.

A year later, Collin is continuing his comeback. Still wheelchair bound, he’s at the Y working out with a personal trainer to learn to walk again. No time to talk. While watching Collin do his thing, Mom looked at me and said,” He wants to come back to work, you know.”

I’m not surprised.

Collin’s the Livinator, the toughest guy I know.

“I’ll be back, baby. Hasta la vista.” Michael Fischer, Kelowna