Patient’s Life an Inspiration to All

* The patients and employees of the VHA Medical Center in Sepulveda lost a very good friend Oct. 25 when Herb Oles died in his sleep.

Herb wasn’t a decorated warrior. He repaired jet engines during the Korean War, but not in the theater of operations.

Herb wasn’t a doctor, nurse or any other type of health care worker. In fact, he was a patient.

As far as I know, Herb wasn’t a leader or even an active member of a major veterans organization.

Herb was a quadriplegic, injured about 17 years ago in a swimming accident. He was also a volunteer at the medical center, spending about eight hours each day making deliveries for the staff of the Spinal Cord Injury Unit. His positive attitude about helping others, in spite of his obvious physical limitations, was, in a word, inspiring.

He smiled with every muscle in his beautiful, round face. And it seemed he always smiled. He would always engage you in a positive conversation. I looked forward to our chance encounters in the hallways of the medical center.

If I could talk to him now I’d tell him how sad I am he’s dead. He’d probably say something like, “At least I’m out of that damned chair.”

LAWRENCE C. CAIRD

Palmdale

Caird is the VA regional director of public affairs.