an open space

Wheels for Wiggins
My friend Abby is wonderful and thoughtful, driven, discerning, critical, and astoundingly intelligent. When she was in High School her older brother fell off the roof of their house, and is now paralyzed. He was the star of the track team, class clown. And now, he's graduated from Gonzaga, bitter and cynical, soaking up as much sympathy as he can obtain. I remember first meeting him. We made small talk in the living room and he asked my major, which at the time, was Occupational Therapy.

"Oh," he said, unintentionally making a face of disapproval as the words fell from my lips.

He paused for a minute, gripping his hands on the wheels of his chair. "Can I give you a word of advice?"

I nodded, apprehensively.

"When you graduate and get a job, treat your patients like they're people. Not just another number, or another appointment."

"I will," I said quietly.

***

Abby gave a sermon for Week of Prayer about doubts, rationalism, and being angry at God. Life is unfair, unjust. Why do these things happen to such undeserving people?

***

One of our brightest math professors, Ken Wiggins, received some sort of injection in which he had an allergic reaction to, leaving him paralyzed. One day, as he was in Tri-Cities at Abby's house, he saw a hand crank bike that belonged to her brother. Wiggins expressed casual interest in the bike, so Abby, president of the Math Club, created a fundraiser event called Wheels for Wiggin, which was a run/walk, raising money to buy him his own bike.

***

I made the poster at the top weeks ago, without knowing the story.
The event had a wonderful turnout.
He wrote this letter to the collegian, and I cried.

It is no secret that WWU students are exceptional in many ways, including the way in which they care for others. It was at first astonishing to me that the Mathematics Club chose me as a project and set about raising money for a handcycle. It was also at first astonishing that anyone would respond to this project in a positive way. But then, as I thought more about this community, I realized that this isn’t at all surprising. Helping others is at the heart of what we are about. Still, I am almost overwhelmed when I think of what was done for me.
If you are curious about these bikes, go to http://bike-on.com/dir/955/files/TopEndForceBrochure08.pdf. The Force G with the upright seat is my choice.
I ordered the bike today, and it should arrive in about 5 weeks. It will be painted dark green, and the Mathematics Club members will be invited to sign the green frame with an orange pen. I don’t want to forget, even for an instant, who provided this bike for me. The bike will become an important part of my fitness program, just as my bicycle was 3 years ago. I wish to thank the club President, Abby Higgins, the club members, and all the others who supported this project!

Ken Wiggins
P.S. Let me know when you want to go for a bike ride!