Just feed me like a baby...

I almost feel bad posting this story because it's about one of my favorite clients to date, a guy named Mitch. Mitch is a quadriplegic. The first few times I met with him, I didn't know what had happened or how long he had been in a wheelchair. I found out later that he fell down the stairs about 7 years ago and is completely paralyzed from the neck down. I can't even imagine what that would be like, especially because Mitch used to be super active. He told me stories about he used to go hunting all of the time and showed me all the things he had built around his house. To go from being so active to stuck in a wheelchair unable to do anything yourself, for the rest of your life...I just can't imagine.

Anyway, like I said, Mitch is one of my favorites. He and I hit it off from the beginning. I met with him at his house and we talked and laughed for a long time. One of the nicest people I've met on the job. The first time I met with him we got on the topic of wine. He makes his own and was explaining the process. He told me that the next time we would meet it would probably be ready and told me I could try some. Never having tried homemade wine before, I jumped on the offer.

A week or so later I called Mitch to set up time to get all of the appropriate paperwork signed. He told me the wine was ready so we needed to make an afternoon appointment so I could try some. We set up our appointment and I reminded him that his wife needed to be there. She not only needed to sign the papers herself but also she is his power of attorney since he doesn't have the use of his hands.

Getting this paperwork signed doesn't just involve my clients and me, we have to have a notary present. Luckily, we have a mobile notary that comes with us sometimes to make things easier for clients. Also, at this time my friend and coworker, Dawn, had just arrived in the area was in the process of shadowing people to learn the ropes. On the day of my appointment with Mitch, I rounded up the troops, Dawn, the notary and myself. We set off for Mitch's with the anticipation of getting some business done and enjoying some wine...

We arrive at Mitch's and we're all in the kitchen making small talk. I notice that he wife doesn't seem to be there so I ask him if she's around. He replies, "Oh, no she's at the beauty shop for a hair appointment." Uh, Mitch....I told you she had to be here. We can't really accomplish anything without her. Of course, I don't say this aloud. I politely act like nothing is wrong and we reschedule another day. Mind you, I have now taken up the time of our mobile notary and also a fellow coworker for basically no reason at this point. Despite my fondness of Mitch, I was rather annoyed. But I think he just wanted some company and can you really blame him?

Before we start to head to the door, Mitch says "Well, while you're here so you might as well still have that glass of wine we talked about..." If you know anything about me, you know you don't really have to twist my arm when it comes to drinking wine. So I get four wine glasses out of the cabinet for us and Dawn asks Mitch where he keeps the wine. He told her it was in the bottle on the back porch (we live in the north and this was in the dead of winter; hence, no refrigerator needed). Dawn goes out back and sees a large jug of wine and a Crown Royal bottle. Just to make sure she's getting the right thing, she asks Mitch to clarify. "Um, the Crown Royal bottle...." he says as if it were common sense. So she comes back inside, Crown Royle bottle full of homemade wine in tow. She pours us all a glass....and then....it got awkward.

The three of us, notary, Dawn and myself, start to sip our wine. Mitch does not. Why? Because he can't feed himself. You could tell no one really knew what to say or do. Finally, Dawn chimes in. "So..um..what should we do for you?" she says. "Just feed me like a baby...I'll nod when I'm finished," he says. So that's what we did. The next thirty minutes consisted of us feeding Mitch wine, like a baby.

But man, the wine sure was good.