Something wonderful in a disaster

On May 27, 1995, our life was suddenly changed.It happened a few minutes past three,when my husband, Chris, fell from his horse as it jumped over a fence.Chris was paralyzed from the chest down, unable to breathe normally.As he was thrown from his horse, we entered into a life of convenience with lots of unexpected challenges.We went from the "haves" to the “have-nots".Or so we thought.

Yet what we discovered later were all the gifts that came out of sharing difficulties.We came to learn that something wonderful could happen in a disaster. All over the world people cared for Chris so much that letters and postcards poured in every day. By the end of the third week in a medical center in Virginia, about 35,000 pieces of  mail had been received and sorted.

   As a family, we opened letter after letter.They gave us comfort and became a source of strength for us.We used them to encourage ourselves.I would go to the pile of letters marked with "Funny" if we needed a laugh, or to the "Disabled" box to find advice from people in wheelchairs or even in bed living happily and successfully.

   These letters, we realized, had to be shared.And so here we offer one of them to you.

Dear Chris,

    My husband and I were so sorry to hear of your riding accident last week.No doubt your family and your friends are giving you the strength to face this technical challenge.People everywhere are also giving you best wishes every day and we are among those who are keeping you alive.

Yours Sincerely,

Nancy Reagan