Lydia's Rehabilitation

Wang Wu, Li Ci and Lydia on move-out day,
leaving the Social Welfare Institute (orphanage) and off work and to her own apartment

Many of you were pulling for Lydia when she was struck by a drunk driver this past summer. 

I’m happy to tell you that her body has recovered well from broken ribs and internal bleeding, though not without persistent pain and discouragement. She determined to return to work in a small hand-made chocolate factory, where a central goal of the business is holistic restoration of employees.

Safe housing was the only obstacle preventing Lydia from resuming work. The chocolate business has an employee dormitory that is not wheelchair accessible. When Lydia began working 2.5 years ago, we along with her supervisor renovated a car garage stall on the first floor of an apartment building. This home was acceptable, secure and affordable, but chilly and noisy. Worst of all, Lydia had to traverse busy roads in all weather which led to the accident that easily could have killed her. 

Lydia hoped for a wheelchair-accessible dormitory apartment in the same complex where she works, priced around 300 yuan/mo. We located a place that met her requirements — except that rent is 600 yuan/mo., the deposit is hefty, and utilities are more costly than her previous place. It is beyond Lydia’s means following months of unpaid unemployment. But Lydia was eager to return to work, and in order to meet that goal she needed a safe home, so we will subsidize the rent as a crucial step towards her rehabilitation. We regard her as our own sibling and this is what anyone would do to re-establish his own sister after a tribulation. Drew made a number of trips to fix and install things in her room to make everything convenient. All to empower Lydia!

 

Anker, where Drew is employed, has a philanthropy program to which Drew applied for Lydia to receive a new electric wheelchair after her previous one was trashed in the collision. (No, the drunk driver at fault was not forced to compensate for the chair or the bulk of medical expenses.) Anker promptly approved and bought a new electric wheelchair! When things settle down Lydia will speak at the company-wide Friday meeting. Drew and his co-workers have much to learn from her.

Through the process of negotiating renovations, signing the contract and getting utilities, Lydia contacted a handful of on-site workers who, impressed by her character, expressed a willingness to help her out when needed. We took these young suburban professionals out for dinner to build camaraderie and celebrate her convalescence, though whether they will follow though with their good intentions or not is yet to be seen. Building a supportive on-site community is essential for Lydia’s safety and well-being, particularly because we live far away. She may need assistance with a number of things, for example, the office to pay for electricity is located in a basement, down flights of stairs with no elevator. We’re working out a solution that would allow her as much independence as possible.

the woman of honor in pink

Faithful life-long friends — siblings, really -- from the Social Welfare Institute (orphanage) where Lydia grew up have been indispensable in Lydia’s rehabilitation. Wang Wu, her roommate, helped care for Lydia’s daily needs. Li Ci, who you may have met on this blog, is the quiet heroine who pushes her wheelchair, folds it up and puts it in the trunk of taxis, and accompanies Lydia everywhere to ensure safe transit. Li Ci is incredibly hard-working and would do anything to serve a friend.

Li Ci sweeping floors in the new dormitory apartment

Of course, saints at the chocolate factory have been the key to everything; through employment Lydia is cultivating a fuller expression of who she was created to be. Here she is esteemed for her useful skills and contributions to the team. And coworkers are considerate, facilitating mobility when the elevator is broken.

You have prayed for Lydia. I showed her all the words of encouragement you wrote for her, and she was so happily surprised. She even received a message from blogger, author and burn survivor, Stephanie Nielsen. Thank you all for being on Lydia's support team!

*****

Lydia lives with interminable daily-life challenges. She is physically uncomfortable from injuries -- burns, amputations, broken bones. Tasks are difficult without fingers and legs. Mobility is impeded by steps and uneven terrain, and when it rains transit to work is a mess. People do not typically regard her as an intelligent adult. The social welfare system has not afforded her opportunities to develop and exercise authority over her own life.

Throughout this recent process of getting re-established, there have been times when Lydia has felt overwhelmed with anxiety. One night after unsuccessfully trying to resolve a housing matter, she called Drew heartbroken and sobbing, "I can't do anything! I always have to rely on you to come do things for me, I'm such a burden. Forget it, I don't want to do this..."

Just this Monday Lydia told us that on weekends she has been eating only crackers and water! Monday through Friday lunch and supper is provided at work, Saturday and Sunday she needs to acquire her own meals. There is a cafeteria downstairs from her apartment, but the entry has one step-up, and besides, Lydia is uncomfortable spending money. We just had a conversation discussing how she would like to resolve this weekend meal problem -- she insisted that she desired only the ability to cook rice and noodles, to save money. So we need to work on Lydia-directed, Rachel-advised weekend nutrition as well.

Lydia is an overcomer, an optimist, grateful, industrious, disciplined, loving, selfless, courageous and full of faith. In recent years I have grown to realize how she embodies invaluable qualities that I lack, and possesses inextinguishable treasures that I have yet to grasp. She is in all matters of consequence my senior, a friend who has rearranged my value system.

counting the graces

thank you Father for

you are calling me to quiet myself, set that stuff aside, and find a resting place with you

apologizing to my kids and restoring us to each other, over fried breadsticks

sweetest fresh green peas

Titus' admirable qualities shining through the difficulties of school

How the kids invent their cute ways of sleeping -- Titus wrapped up in a pile of nest, Mike sideways or in the corner

quality time with L&WL contemplating 1 John

yoga, it makes the body feel so happy

red rug in the living room

media that conveys a gospel parallel, yesterday it was the song radioactive