My mother and father had many struggles growing up during the Great Depression. Holidays weren't always celebrated the way they'd like. As a result, they made sure that special events like birthdays and Christmas were memorable for their children. Determined to place the needs of others before their own, I'm still taken with that selfless act of love and kindness. 'It's better to give than receive' wasn't just Christmas hype. Rather, it became part of my soul.
Two years ago, as Nazareth College was embarking on a major capital campaign, I was approached by Kelly Gagan, our vice president for institutional advancement, about making a gift. We talked about the various ways one could contribute. I gave it a great deal of thought, and eventually settled on creating a fund that would support Nazareth students who have made a career commitment to working with those who have physical disabilities. More specifically, those with spinal cord injuries. You see, my hero is a quadriplegic and he's the bravest person I know. His name is Jim DaRin, and he happens to be my brother.
In June 1977, Jim was working a summer job at the Miller Brewing Company in Fulton, N.Y. At 6'4'' and 280 lbs he was an imposing figure, with size, speed, and toughness worthy of the football scholarship he earned to Syracuse University. Assigned to the "keg line' at the brewery, his task was to use a high pressure hose to clean the inside of the keg before refilling. On one fateful Friday evening, as he eased the hose into the keg valve, the keg exploded sending the valve and other shrapnel through his neck. Pieces hit and bruised his spinal cord. The force of the explosion sent him ten feet in the air with a resulting skull fracture. His neurosurgeon said he had never seen an injury so severe in which the patient survived.
Hospitalized from June to November, he was released to a rehabilitation facility in Boston to begin learning how to live the next phase of his life. His doctors had saved his life, but now his therapists would have to give him a life.
It was the talent and patience of his physical and occupational therapists that allowed Jim to realize his new potential. He faced hours of pain, frustration, and humiliation. For someone who could bench press 300 lbs. and dominate the field of play before his injury, he now couldn't lift 3 lbs. or even feed himself. Their strategy was simple, challenge him the way his coaches had. Appeal to his competitve spirit, and use that to make him an independent adult.
In March 1978, Jim came home. He was able to not only dress and feed himself, but operate his wheelchair manually. Even more amazing, they taught him to drive a car with hand controls. In my mind they had done nothing short of a miracle. Today, Jim is happily married to his wife LuAnn (a physical therapist herself) and the father of twin daughters in their senior year of high school.
I received a special gift when Jim returned home, and my hope is that a Nazareth trained physical or occupational therapist will do the same for some other family. By establishing the James A. DaRin Endowed Fund at Nazareth College I'm saying, everyday, Merry Christmas brother! This is my gift to others in your name.
