Why I don't want to let this become Trump's America

[FightingIrish]

I’m sitting in the surgery waiting room of Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. My wife is undergoing the second of several surgeries following an auto accident on Tuesday that probably should have killed us. We were hit broadside by a driver traveling well over the speed limit and blowing through a stop sign like it wasn’t even there. We both survived the impact and subsequent rollover but my wife’s right hand was badly mangled as we rolled several times. That’s not the point of this post, however.

Because of the severity of her injury, she had to be transported about eighty miles south where the best hand surgeons are available. Seattle is a very diverse city but its premier medical center may be even more so. I spent most of my life in a small Oregon city that was pretty diversity challenged. In the midst of this crisis I found myself in a virtual medical United Nations. The head surgeon on the hand team is Cinese. The anesthesiologist tonight is Thai. The nurses have been Asian, Latina Eastern European and plain vanilla Caucasians. The smiling janitor who cleans my wife’s room is from Fiji and very proud of it.

These remarkable people are a team of the best of the best and they are available to us because they wanted be in this country and this country wanted them. Since Tuesday we have been immersed in the richness of real American culture and it is very comforting. I have never before felt the sense of being part of this marvelous multiethnic community we call America.

I thought I’d have more time to write this but the surgeon just came out with some good news and bad news. She’ll keep all of her fingers but she’ll have to have several more surgeries before we can go home.

My lesson learned is that without immigrants we would be a very ordinary nation. I’m saying this knowing that the driver who almost killed us is also an immigrant.

[BigmanPigman]

1. When I was a school teacher my classes were always a huge mix.

Looking at the class pictures you can see the richness in the diversity. I ended up teaching at a different school during my last two years and 90% of the students were the same and it was sort of boring for me. I actually learned a lot from my students and their families and enjoyed the teaching experience a lot more in a more diverse student body. If I had a choice I would have returned to my original school.

I hope your wife has a good recovery and a good physical therapist.

[onetexan]

2. God bless you and your wife

I'm praying for you to keep being strong and for your wife's recovery. You're absolutely right - Ameri ca was built on immigrants' backs and diversity is its greatest strength. I have a very racially & ethnically mixed family, and we fully embrace, revel, enjoy and celebrate our cultural diversity. No matter the antics this illegitimate POTUS & his enablers try in the end justice and equal rights will rule, and Democratic America will again triumph. We just have to keep fighting to preserve it.

[MrScorpio]

3. May your wife recover fully

Thank goodness that you're both still with us.

Thanks for your narrative.

[sweetroxie]

4. I was in a similar position to you--many years ago.

On my honeymoon I totaled our car on a California highway and the car rolled over on my husband's hand, crushing it. We went through a similar struggle as you describe. The traumatic memory is still "fresh" for me. It is wonderful, that in all that, you are able to step back and be awed by American diversity. It says a lot.

I hope your wife has a full recovery (as my husband did some 50 years ago)).

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. Happy for your good news.

May your wife (and you) heal deeply and well.

You could call in to Laura Ingraham and tell the screeners that you and wife were "almost killed by an immigrant". Then when you are on air, lay out the story about the immigrants who have done so much for you.

Just an idea. It might be stressful so no obligation of course. We can hope she might be driven off the air by an advertiser boycott before long.

[Achilleaze]

6. .

[pnwmom]

7. Ah, yes. I felt the same thing at Swedish, another Seattle hospital.

I'm sorry you and your wife have had to go through this but I'm glad you are having such good care.

I'll be thinking of you, along with so many others here.

[MFM008]

8. I was lucky to be treated

At the UW twice.
Tell your wife we are thinking of her
And you.