I Shook Hands with Barack Today! - Democratic Underground

mckara

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Mon Sep-15-08 08:16 PM
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I Shook Hands with Barack Today!

We recently returned from the Obama rally in Grand Junction, Colorado, today, where I learned something new about Barack, at a human level. Please keep in mind that I am completely paralyzed below my neck, and I am unable to breathe without a ventilator. People in the local campaign office knew of my family's support for Obama, and helped my sister Nancy place me, and other disabled folk, in an area close to the rostrum. Upon his arrival, Barack greeted several people along the security barrier, including the area where I sat in my wheelchair next to my sister and nephew Miles. When Barack moved in front of me, he reached out, and touched my hand, while saying good morning. He realized that I could not move, so he reached farther over the rail, grabbed my arm, looked directly in my eyes, and smiled at me with the warmth of a long lost relative. I served as a naval officer 6 years prior to my injury, and have been confined to a wheelchair for over twenty years. His genuine kindness reminded me of returning home to family after deployments overseas.

Many of us who frequently visit DU have heard his stump speech online, and know the verses by heart, with the exception of his comments about financial institutions crashing on Wall Street, today. After concluding his remarks, he returned to the rope-line, shaking as many hands as possible. Since we briefly met him earlier, we figured he would move quickly past our seating area, to thank other members of the audience. He must have remembered greeting us earlier, because this time, he grasped my arm, and said thank you several times, appreciating our many hours of baking in the late summer sun.

I grew up in a politically active family, and attended campaign rallies frequently in my younger days, until entering the Navy. In fact, during college, I worked on Capital Hill for a Colorado congressman. As much as I admired the other politicians, speaking with them reminded me more of business meetings than family reunions. God knows, after twenty years of drifting away from friends, and constantly preparing my psyche for an accidental disconnection of my ventilator, and inevitable death, my heart discourages me from creating many new emotional bonds. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary when meeting Barack Obama, until I returned home, and told my mother about our encounter. When I told mom about Barack purposely reaching out to grasp my arm, and making me feel as if he traveled to Colorado especially to see me, my eyes filled with tears, and I could not speak.

It would have been great to have an actual conversation with Barack, but that was impractical. Yet, the power of his presence became overwhelming to me once I had an opportunity to reflect upon it. Perhaps, my impressions would have been different if I did not believe Barack's mission was to save our Republic. Whatever the reasons, I wish everyone reading this could personally meet Barack before the election, or afterward, when he is president!

Vote for Barack! You know I will!