" Through strife, all things arise and pass away. "- Heraclitus
Jerry and Dorothy Erich were polio survivors along with several million afflicted persons over the past century. I believe that survivors of any debilitating disease are faced with the crucial challenge of whether or or not they are willing or able to live out lives of value. I also believe that those who take the path of creating a value filled life allow their suffering to bring for the virtues of fortitude (courage), hope (perseverance), and charitable action (service).
Audrey Clark continues Jerry's story: " A great thing happened for Jerry when he was told about a man in Fresno who had invented a foot control to drive a car without using his hands. It was a plate with a boot like device on the floorboard where he put his foot in to turn the steering wheel. It could only be installed on Fords. Jerry was friends with the Ford dealer since he had done a lot of printing for him, and he was also chairman for the March of Dimes for Santa Clara county. Jerry had an old car that the dealer took for trade-in and he ended up with a new 1957 Ford. They made arrangements to get the car to Fresno for the adjustments and get it back to him. He was the first person in CA to be licensed to drive a car with foot control!
I experienced Jerry's "foot control" driving first hand. Once during my time at Camp RYLA, he drove me from his cabin in Boulder Creek, CA to the camp. My emotions ranged from terror to amazement as he used his feet to drive with dexterity and speed. I breathed a sigh of relief when we reached camp-whew!!
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