Chuck
Bosch & Buster |
A
Story of American Independence
If ever a friendship
had an inauspicious beginning, this was it. Marvin and I were
taking our midnight constitutional in the RV park here in
Las Vegas, when I noticed a man trying to untangle a dog leash
from the left side of his wheelchair. I moved in to offer
assistance when the dog at the end of the leash-- a large,
ebullient golden lab-- seized the opportunity to make Marvin's
acquaintance. In the ensuing activity, in which both dogs
treated me as a human maypole and wrapped their leads around
my legs, a sudden tug yanked the wheelchair off the sidewalk.
Its occupant was hurtled headfirst onto the pavement. Even
in the darkness, I could see blood.
With the help
of a passing security guard and the man's calm instructions,
I was able to restore him to his chair. He was still bleeding,
and a large welt was rising on his temple. Even so, he refused
further assistance. "I'm fine," he said simply.
"I'll take care of it when I get back to my RV."
But how could
he, I wondered. The man was a quadriplegic. He had the use
of one shoulder, and no control over his torso, legs or feet.
After returning Marvin to the Phoenix One, I went back out
to check on him. And that's how I made the acquaintance of
Chuck Bosch, the most remarkable road warrior I have ever
had the privilege of meeting.
Over the next
couple of days, Megan and I had the very good fortune to learn
more about Chuck's unusual life. Left a quadriplegic after
a water-skiing accident in 1985, he lives in Carson City,
Nevada. Chuck spends a great deal of time traveling around
the country, by himself, in a 34-foot 1997 Winnebago class
'A' motorhome. He tows a full size 1998 GMC Safari van which
he uses for transportation when the Winnebago is parked.
Undertaking
such mundane tasks as dressing, eating, and personal care
would be challenge enough for most individuals faced with
his disabilities, but Chuck also manages to accomplish nearly
all of the chores that are a part of daily life in a motorhome.
With aplomb, Chuck showed us how he can hitch his van to his
RV and hook up sewer, power and water hoses. "It takes
me about forty-five minutes," said Chuck, "If the
ground is flat and dry, and the hookups aren't too far away
from the vehicle."
At the time
of his accident, Chuck was working for the Nevada Department
of Transportation. His primary goal was to return to work
as soon as possible. His doctors considered his plan unreasonable,
but that didn't deter Chuck. Within six months, he was back
at work, and he continued to work full time for another ten
years. "It is easy to become institutionalized with this
type of injury," Chuck told us, but by setting and then
achieving the goal of going back to work, Chuck began to recreate
his life.
Chuck
aboard the "Super-Arm Lift" that gives him
access to his motorhome |
In addition
to his true grit, patience and determination, Chuck uses a
number of gadgets to meet each day's challenges. A hands-free
Nokia 6160 wireless phone serves as his lifeline if he encounters
situations that exceed his remarkable capacity for action.
To gain access to his vehicles he uses a "Super Arm Lift"
and a custom-designed mechanism that allows him to control
the throttle, steering and brake of his vehicles by applying
arm pressure. He also employs the use of a special splint
developed at Rancho Los Amigos in Los Angeles. It enhances
the contraction of the tendon in his forearm, allowing him
to grasp a pen or other small implement. Chuck has also set
up his motorhome so that he can adjust and operate the TV,
satellite system, furnace, air conditioner, and kitchen appliances,
all from his wheel chair. When he is on the road, he hires
the services of a professional attendant to assist him each
morning, but the rest of the day, he's self- sufficient.
Yesterday,
we waved good-bye to Chuck (whose head, thankfully, was on
the mend) and his dog Buster as they set out on the next leg
of their ongoing adventure. In the next few days this unusual
traveling pair will be "at home and on the road"
in Prescott, Scottsdale, Tucson, Yuma and San Diego. Never
again will I allow myself the luxury of thinking that I am
not up to the task of the moment-- Chuck is living proof that
there is ALWAYS a way. He has inspired me to stay the course--
no matter the apparent obstacles.
