Sometimes your priorities are determined for you.
I have been trying to master the Dragon NaturallySpeaking, a voice to text system on the computer, so that I can continue to write. I write verbally by dictating my columns and have them appear as written text on the computer screen.
Things keep getting in the way of getting it done. Unresponsive customer service at Nuance, the producers of Dragon Naturally Speaking, difficulty with my telephone (my fault), or my microphone not working so that I am unable to dictate. It’s one thing after another.
At the same time, friends were experiencing problems where I can be of help. It was an elder abuse problem. I also gave moral support to a dear friend who may have a serious operation.
That became a much higher priority than any administrative details with Dragon. I still have time to help my friends and do the Dragon thing.
Larry Welch is the dear friend who needs help and encouragement. Larry is a Vietnam veteran with all the Agent Orange symptoms, which resulted from exposure to the chemical. It causes different varieties of cancer, Parkinson’s disease – you name it. Because he tends to believe that no one owes him anything, he has never had a VA evaluation of his conditions.
Well, he is taking me to Martinez for a review of my vision problems at the VA clinic there. While there, he will begin the evaluation process. At last!
Larry has been hauling me around for the past five or six months. He takes me to the Kroc Center for exercising, the “Old Deplorables” weekly breakfast, and any other place I need to go. Now, it’s my turn.
In addition to the Martinez evaluation, Larry is being reviewed by Kaiser orthopedic surgeons, Drs. Ming and Chung. They are considering operations on his feet to correct ankle problems caused by flat feet. I will be with him at both Ming and Chung appointments.
The things I can do relate to helping define recovery problems, such as when and how long. What kind of changes are needed in home facilities? When can he drive again? When can he become mobile again?
I can’t make a difference, but I can help get information out on the table so that Larry will know what to expect, and better prepare himself for the ordeal.
Larry is more than just a friend. He is Mr. Rockville Corners, and all of Rockville. He’s the former president of the homeowners association and the historical society. He’s a tour guide for innocents like me.
If you want to know anything about Rockville and the surrounding area, the people who influenced the area’s creation and being, just ask Larry. Mare Island, too.
All of this description is just words. Larry is the real thing. He has a big heart. He is constantly reaching out to people who need help (including me). He will be embarrassed by what I have written. So what?
I think you can see why helping Larry is far more important that getting a computer program fixed.
Helping my other friend keep his assets is also important and deserves more immediate attention than does the Dragon. When the Higher Power is ready for me to master the computer program, I will. It will become the high priority item on my list of things to do, but probably after I get my estate affairs in order.
I’ll be listening and looking for doors to open.
http://www.dailyrepublic.com/solano-news/local-features/local-lifestyle-columns/friends-are-high-priority/
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