A Little Juice Box; a Big Kindness

“He who is kind to the needy honors God.”
Proverbs 14:31 (NIV)

I received a very unexpected Christmas present last Sunday afternoon. James Bruce had experienced a cough and good deal of congestion over the last ten days, but Sunday morning found him "rattling." By that, I mean that his little airways sounded more like a freight train every time he breathed. We missed church trying to let him sleep, hoping and praying that he'd get better on his own. By Sunday afternoon he wasn't any better. Bruce and I looked at each other and said, "Urgent Care." Neither one of us wanted to wait until Monday morning when our family practice physician’s office opened.

Being sick is never convenient under the best circumstances. But being sick with a special needs adult is more than inconvenient- it's challenging. That's especially true if the health care providers have never seen the special needs patient. That's why we're so grateful for our regular family practice physician and his nurse. Both are in our Sunday School class at church and have known James Bruce- and us- for years.

We arrived at the Urgent Care clinic just as it opened on Sunday afternoon. The waiting room was already full. Apparently there must have been a line before 1PM. I filled out new patient paperwork only to be told that they couldn't treat James Bruce without some form of government issued photo identification. Bruce and James Bruce went back home to retrieve James Bruce's non-driver's license ID. I filled out paperwork, fretted, and fumed.

I also had a long conversation with God, something along the lines of "Really, God? We missed church this morning and the Advent services are always my favorites. The Special Connections were lighting the Advent candles and we were home with our sick Special Connections son. And now this? Is there no kindness, especially when there are special needs?" To be honest, I vented more than I prayed, but I've learned through the years that God can handle my venting.

Bruce and James Bruce returned with the needed photo ID. We waited some more, this time separated because all of the waiting room chairs were full. Finally, we were called back to an exam room. We waited some more before Nurse Carrie entered. She looked tired and a little wary, but she began asking questions and getting a quick summary of the reason for our visit. James Bruce edged closer to her as I uneasily said, "Some things are more normal than not. He always likes pretty girls!" Nurse Carrie laughed and started getting James Bruce's blood pressure and temperature. Both actions are challenging with him because of his autism. He is VERY tactilely defensive, resists the blood pressure cuff tightness and something stuck in his ear. Nurse Carrie tried a couple of different strategies before we finally got the needed measurements.

It wasn't long before Dr. X entered the room. He, too, initially looked uncertain and a little wary. I, too, was wary. Dr. X's English was very broken. It took both health care professionals, to finally be able to listen to James Bruce's lungs and heart. Dr. X wanted to do a chest X-ray, but we all agreed to forego it if possible. We discussed some treatment options ( he was trying to cover James Bruce for both pneumonia and mycoplasm) before Dr. X ordered an antibiotic shot while we were in the office; two oral antibiotics to take at home; and some prescription cough syrup. As Dr. X and Nurse Carrie left the exam room, Bruce and I were trying to figure out the best strategy to successfully give James Bruce a shot in his bottom. At 175 pounds, he is strong as an ox and, once again, extremely resistant to touch and pressure. Secretly, I was praying, not venting!!, "Lord, help!"

Nurse Carrie returned to the room with the dreaded shot in hand. She was also in command. We started trying to explain what we thought to be the best strategy for completing the task when she said, "James Bruce, can you lay down on the table? I have a drink box and a straw for you. Mom, you get at his feet. Dad, you get at his shoulders."  Bruce and I quickly did what we were told. James Bruce hesitated, but reached out for his apple juice box. Throughout the whole thing, Nurse Carrie kept talking softly to James Bruce. He kept rubbing his arm anticipating a shot. She told him to hold the juice box with both hands and take a big sip. Amazingly, he complied. Suddenly the whole shot thing was over and I was amazed. I still couldn't figure out how she gave him a shot in his bottom while he was lying on his back! Plus he never flailed, cried out, or went into meltdown mode.

"Where did you learn how to do this?" I asked. "You've worked somewhere besides an Urgent Care." 

Nurse Carrie laughed as she said, "I worked in the Children's Behavioral Unit at Children's Hospital for a few years."

And with that, I recognized God's generous gift of grace. What were the chances of us getting a nurse with special needs experience, especially on a Sunday afternoon in an Urgent Care that we'd never been to before? How did she know the right strategy to use with James Bruce- the one that decreased, not only his trauma, but ours as well? And what about her extraordinary kindness and calm demeanor? How many of us working on a Sunday afternoon in the middle of the busy Christmas season would be willing- much less able- to deliver the required care with tenderness and compassion?

We left the Urgent Care and headed for Arby's for James Bruce's favorite treat- an Arby's mocha milk shake. Bruce and I were both amazed at what we had just experienced. And in those moments we both realized that God had made a way through the trial. He didn't spare us from it, but He definitely made a way through it.

Within 36 hours, James Bruce was much better. He still has a little cough, but is back at his adult workshop and getting ready for Christmas and Robert's Nashville wedding next week.

No matter where we are this Christmas season, God is with us. "Immanuel"- God with us- is one of the names for Jesus. God can handle our venting and our praying. He knows where we are, what we need, and when we need it. And all of us can, by God's grace, extend kindness and compassion to someone who desperately needs it.

"He who is kind to the needy honors God." Let's be kind, honor God, and bless others.

Amen and Amen