We hear a lot of amazing stories about people who are missing a limb overcoming their challenges and still living their life to the fullest. I've seen stories of men with artificial legs running marathons and a woman with no legs driving a car. There are many stories of these people not letting their disability get in the way of living. I have a similar story. I have a tale of a man with only one arm who was a hero to many kids.
My grandpa Leonard was born in 1899. When he was 10 years old, he was tending to his chores near their horse and buggy. Suddenly something spooked the horses, Leonard was knocked over and his arm got tangled in the spokes of the buggy. The consequences of this incident were devastating. Leonard lost his arm. I don't know if in 1909 there was a such thing as a prosthetic arm but even so, Leonard's family was poor so it probably would not have been an option. Since Leonard grew up on a farm, he had to overcome his loss and figure out how to perform his share of the chores.
Well, since Leonard was born so long ago, I don't know a lot more than that about his childhood other than... I heard that when he lost his arm, his mother got angry with him for spooking the horses. Hopefully there is more to that story or I might think my great-grandmother was cruel.
What do I remember? Well what I do know is that Leonard was married to a lovely lady named Marjorie and they raised 11 children. Big families were common back then especially in rural areas. Leonard ran a small farm and had various jobs in town. Leonard also became a skilled carpenter and a wonderful grandfather.
So why do I consider him a hero? When I go back home and run into people in his old hometown, they share tales of Leonard making small rowboats as a hobby. He also made sleds so that all the kids in town could enjoy sliding in the winter. Not to mention, I have memories of my grandpa shuffling cards with his left hand and his right stump. Also, he used to bounce us grandkids on his knee. My Grandfather died when I was only seven but I am still grateful for the memories I still have. Here he is in his workshop.
My grandpa Leonard was born in 1899. When he was 10 years old, he was tending to his chores near their horse and buggy. Suddenly something spooked the horses, Leonard was knocked over and his arm got tangled in the spokes of the buggy. The consequences of this incident were devastating. Leonard lost his arm. I don't know if in 1909 there was a such thing as a prosthetic arm but even so, Leonard's family was poor so it probably would not have been an option. Since Leonard grew up on a farm, he had to overcome his loss and figure out how to perform his share of the chores.
Well, since Leonard was born so long ago, I don't know a lot more than that about his childhood other than... I heard that when he lost his arm, his mother got angry with him for spooking the horses. Hopefully there is more to that story or I might think my great-grandmother was cruel.
What do I remember? Well what I do know is that Leonard was married to a lovely lady named Marjorie and they raised 11 children. Big families were common back then especially in rural areas. Leonard ran a small farm and had various jobs in town. Leonard also became a skilled carpenter and a wonderful grandfather.
So why do I consider him a hero? When I go back home and run into people in his old hometown, they share tales of Leonard making small rowboats as a hobby. He also made sleds so that all the kids in town could enjoy sliding in the winter. Not to mention, I have memories of my grandpa shuffling cards with his left hand and his right stump. Also, he used to bounce us grandkids on his knee. My Grandfather died when I was only seven but I am still grateful for the memories I still have. Here he is in his workshop.
Grandpa Leonard
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