When I fractured my leg the middle of July by slipping in the shower, I ended up sedated and at Highline Medical Center in Burien under the care of a hip repair surgeon.

I didn't know what arrangement for my recovery Elsbeth made, but woke up at Judson Park rehab in Des Moines laying in a hospital bed gazing out of a window.

About 6 a.m. the next morning a nurse was hovering over a tray with breakfast.

I tried to eat a little, but was not hungry so I settled for some apple juice before laying back to catch some zees.

That repose did not last. Into the room swooped a guy in a wheelchair who said he was there to help me get dressed for therapy. "I am Mark Harrison. Can you sit up?"

My eyes cleared. I noticed he had bulging biceps, but no legs. As I struggled to rise he suddenly grabbed some handle on his chair and in one movement flung himself out of his wheelchair and plopped on the floor.

He was pleasant, but taciturn and helped me get to a sink, helped me put on my shirt, pants and slipper sox on my near lifeless left leg.

He showed me how to prepare my own wheel chair for easier use.

He then made another magical maneuver and with one hand on his chair flipped his body aboard.

I marveled at his agility and said so adding that life must be difficult for him. He silenced me by saying "There is no time for lamenting here for anybody." With that he was off like a greyhound. "See you in therapy", he said.

That began my 30-day program starting every morning with his all business style and his four or five hours involved with leading 15+ patients in the recovery unit back to repair whatever brought them there.

I did get a chance to talk a little about how he lost his legs and though there was never a moment of self pity, he said in 1974 he was working in waste management in Massachusetts (they called him a garbage man in those days). A 17-year old driver of a multi-ton collection truck forgot to set the brake on an incline. Mark was running another truck below the first truck on a snowy pick-up day when the first truck rolled backwards.

Mark had his back to the truck and never saw it coming. He was only thinking about going skiing the next day. It crushed his lower body. He never lost consciousness, remembering the "Cadillac" ambulance ride to the hospital. He said the medics and surgeons did a wonderful job putting him back together, but at the cost of his legs. His lawsuit and appeal were both denied and he has been making the best of his situation ever since.

I don't dare lament for him. He is happily married and he's still a pick-up man, helping people regain their health and mobility.

He certainly gained my thanks and admiration.