John

True story . Found in an old file

John: I met John in the works canteen. He came in with two other workers, one of them helped him into a seat; the other man went to the servery and began collecting three meals helped by another worker, who just happened to be in the queue at that time. When John was seated the first man went over to the servery and helped bring their food over; One of them then proceeded to cut up Johns food, He had a strange shaped spoon and a pusher to eat with.

Johns arms were twisted, his hands were also misshaped. Johns face showed the marks left by the various surgeons, and the skin grafts, his mouth had a sort of sneer or smile. When his cap was removed for him he had no hair to one side of his scalp neither had he any eyebrows. Actually on first appearance he looked grotesque. The three of them ate their food quietly and left, as they did so John said “See you tomorrow” turned and left.

For the next few weeks John and his companions came and sat with me for lunch. Then one day one of John’s companions turned and came back to the table. “You haven’t asked about John’s disablement? He asked,

No! I replied “I was not sure how to ask, by his face he looks to have been in a very bad accident or something, I have wondered”

“John was in the 8^th Army, he was a tank driver in the Desert Campaign the tank hit a landmine, they managed to get him out, badly burnt and serious physical injuries. They didn’t think he could recover; they ignored his limbs just concentrated on keeping him alive. That’s the way things were, they had so many to treat”

“Thanks for telling me; I won’t say anything unless John does, it’s good that they can find work which he can do”

John did begin to talk to me during our lunch time meetings, bur never mentioned his injuries nor how he came to get them, actually nothing about the war at all. Possibly it is all something he would wish to be able to forget.

Wild Rose 

May 2019

Reviews

[Chris Shaw]

Maybe those memories are just too painful, they and everything associated with them are cast aside. Sounds as though he was doing his utmost to live in the present day, thankful that he was alive. We can only imagine the horrors he went through. Brave man. This story made me stop and think Wild Rose.

Chris

[Wild Rose]

Thanks Christine > Yes it made us think at the time we never knew what is job was >>> A V large chemical plant with lots of products

[Nearly Blonded]

i love seeing real experiences in writing. a lovely yet saddening story this is. what a brave man and what a kind person i can tell you are :)

[Wild Rose]

Thank you > We were three apprentices (not just me )

Working where we did you got used to seeing "older2 men with disabilities > The firms policy was to take on those where useful jobs could be provided for them

[Samuel Dickens]

It would no doubt be hard to forget someone like that. The thing that I have to think about is, "For what did he pay that terrible price?" I curse the politicians who start wars for anything but the most serious of reasons. The military men like John do their duty with diligence and honour, and we must revere them for that. Hopefully, John finds life still worth living.

[Wild Rose]

I hope he did > it was shortly after the was I/we were engineering apprentice's Have changed jobs and areas several times since then

[Dave]

You strike me as a remarkably kind, caring woman. Your description of John would strike many as something repulsive, yet you cared enough not to even question him about them. One also has to be thankful that he has such true and caring friends. Thank you so much for this.

Take care - Dave

[Wild Rose]

Man
Wild because we live our lives (when ot working) in the outdoors
Rose > White rose oy Yorkshire

[barleygirl]

This is a well-told story. I love these kinds of true snippets. The real people in life are always the most intriguing & you've brought this situation to life in your words. As a person mostly in a wheelchair myself, I do appreciate it when people do not respond to me as if my disability were the central defining feature of my existence. I'm sure this guy liked that you saw him as a total person, not just his disfiguring issues. Your descriptions are vivid, but your story still shows your respect for the guy's situation (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Margie _ I do know what you mean about being in a wheel chair My wife now has an electric scooter and a manual chair
As for John we worked for a larg international chemical company They employed several disabled people - They all had useful jobs to suit their skills - Dont know what John did. He had his work mates to help him we just joined him for lunch

[Edie Blue Starfish]

I think that painful memories get buried so he either repress3d some or chos3 to not relive them. I think it's great he was accepted and not shunned as so often happens

[Wild Rose]

Thank you Edie
It was a large international chemical firm
Their policy was to accept disabled people providing they could give them a useful job

[Coyote Poetry]

Old soldiers try to forget. Sometimes they can't. I enjoyed the story. I like when we can gather with other people. Talk, listen and befriend new people. A wonderful story shared dear friend.
Coyote

[Wild Rose]

We worked in a large Chemical factory Engineering were in five work areas and there were two main canteens (posh greasy spoons)
It just happened that John and his two friends came to sit by our table
They employed so many people you never saw them from one day to another _ you met all types in the canteens

[Coyote Poetry]

I loved the taverns. I liked the talks and the company. Easy to befriend people in the company of a place where drink and conversation is free.

[DIVYA]

The vivid description of a man so disabled and maimed in war spoke to me. I couldn’t stop thinking how futile war really is. It helps nothing but egoes and that too is momentary triumph. He lives with the pain every day and he’s lucky to have people to support him and not run away in the face of his unfortunate hideousness. A very profound story, Wild Rose.

[Wild Rose]

Thank you DIVYA
Yes at first sight he looked gruesome; but we remarked (with my friends) That like Sam - one of our work colleagues who had been disfigured with an acid spill (at work) over his head and received major skin transplant to his face and upper body


We worked in a large Chemical factory at the time

[DIVYA]

It must take some strength to look at them and be normal. I’m very sorry for such unfortunates. You brought out there plight so well here.

[Wild Rose]

At first with Sam (not his real name) we had some idea before her returned from hospital - It was a shock at first to see his scared face and bald head; but over time you get used to it all and accept the person as the one we used to know

[DIVYA]

Okay..,that’s great then...I’ve never had the chance to be around someone disfigured this way. It’s very important for them to not feel isolated and to feel included in the society again.