12/29/2014
This was one of our inspirations while we road in 2004. Such a great story!!!
From our Hogs for Dogs journal.....
Yesterday, at the North Carolina Azalea Festival Parade, I met a man that I could really look up to. That may seem unusual, however, because I had to look down to speak with him since he was unable to rise from his wheelchair. He has no use of his legs due to Multiple Sclerosis and is dependent on a motorized wheelchair for his mobility. His name is Edmond Kent.
I was immediately drawn to Edmond in the early morning hours as we waited to ride in the Azalea Festival Parade. He arrived almost unnoticed at the designated parade gathering spot, where Carolina Canines - one of our charity partners - was assembling for the parade, and he simply sat off to one side of the sidewalk, out of the way of passerby traffic. Yet, his quiet confidence, bright spirit and silent determination left a palpable feeling in the air from the first time he smiled and said hello. He had come to march in the parade with his wife Brenda and Gideon, his Assistance Dog that was trained and provided by Carolina Canines.
Edmond told Janet and me how he and Gideon first met. Carolina Canines had worked with Gideon for his initial training for several months before he and Gideon were introduced. At the introduction, there were four clients in the room. Gideon walked into the room and immediately walked up to Edmond. And although Carolina Canines had already decided that Gideon would be placed with Edmond, nobody had told either of them. Gideon just seemed to 'know'. Their partnership continues to have that unique bond that is sometimes unexplainable by simple logic and understanding.
But it wasn't until Gideon's trainer Cynthia Mackie joined the conversation that we learned how this partnership of man and dog had changed Edmond's life. I'll admit to you that I was wondering just what Edmond was doing with a service dog because he had great use of his upper body and hands. What could Gideon really do for him? Well, my ignorance was rewarded with a story of how prior to Gideon's placement it would take Edmond almost two full hours to get back into his wheelchair when he would fall. Two hours of dragging himself to the nearest wall, pushing himself back into a sitting position and then struggling to pull himself into his chair. Without the use of his legs, Edmond would be exhausted after such a fall. Enter Gideon.
During their first training session, Cynthia asked Edmond what was his most difficult task. Edmond mentioned the long struggles after a fall. Cynthia then said, "let's see it" and put Edmond on the ground with Gideon. Gideon spent a while trying to figure out how to help Edmond back into his chair, but eventually they worked it out together - in much less than two hours. With great joy and satisfaction, Edmond rewarded Gideon by praising him with the words, "You're the man, Gideon. You're the man."
I feel very fortunate to have met Edmond. Having learned the depth of his daily challenges, I was impressed with how his perseverance keeps him going with a positive outlook on life and a smile for all those around him. And though I think Gideon is an amazing dog, I'd like to say something to Edmond in this journal - "Thank you for your inspiration and for reminding me that this ride is about helping people reclaim their independence." And lastly, "You're the man, Edmond. You're the man."
