By Elsa Sichrovsky: Ben is a white-haired man whose house I pass on my errands route. He always calls out a friendly greeting, and over time, we’ve become good friends. His cheerful demeanor and lively personality make him a joy to be around, despite our age difference. Last spring, Ben slipped on a wet bathroom floor, fell backwards, and hit his head hard. The impact brought on a stroke that resulted in recurring dizzy spells and headaches, blurred vision, permanent damage to his left eye, and loss of stamina. After his granddaughter phoned with the news, I went to visit Ben in the hospital. I had pictured a sad, sullen Ben greeting me from his wheelchair, but to my surprise, I was met by a smile. Ben waved me over to his chair with his usual enthusiasm. His speech was slow and halting and he was evidently in some pain,…
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