Voting 2020

The last few weeks had been such a whirlwind of change, we were unsure if Billy would be able to vote in person or partake in submitting an absentee ballot if still hospitalized. Before his stroke happened, we were discussing the pros and cons of voting in person vs. applying to vote via mail/drop box. After his stroke, he couldn't remember if he had turn in the application or not. I checked the mailbox daily for a form, but one did not come. Just days before the election, he remembered that he had chosen to vote in person and even remembered the poll location where he was registered to vote at! However, now he was facing another challenge, his ability to see the screen. Everyday his vision was getting a little bit better. A few times he even proudly announced that he could start to recognize images in his left vision field! The excitement in his voice and the look of pride on his face brought me to tears. I was so proud of him and I celebrated all of his victories both big an small. However, over the weekend before election day, Billy began to have increased vision problems. He wasn't sure if it was a neurological deficit presenting itself, or an  increasing vision problem. All he knew was that he was starting to have what he described as "fish bowl" like vision. It made him dizzy and he spent a great deal of time napping and closing his eyes to help with the odd changes. 

Monday morning, one day before the election, he went into see his Ophthalmologist. At the appointment, he discovered that his retinopathy was worsening. They performed lazer surgery right away that day. He went home with a headache and dizziness. That night, he asked me "Would you help me tomorrow? I want to vote, but I can't see very well and I'm worried I won't be able to see the screen to vote. It's important to me." I assured him that I would be right there at his side the entire time. 

Tuesday morning, voting day was here! We got up, ate breakfast, and went straight to the Mennonite Church on Oakland Park Ave. The day was absolutely beautiful! The sun was shining brightly, the leaves glowed vibrant fall colors of amber, scarlet, and gold. The breeze was pleasant and kissed our cheeks with tinges of autumn coolness. He climbed out of the car and placed his hand on my shoulder so that I could help guide him to the polling station. We walked slowly, taking in the beauty of the day and the excitement of the opportunity to vote. This was certainly something I did not take for granted. I thought about the women who, against all odds, stood up for their right as an American to vote in elections. How both women and men alike jeered and bullied these women for standing up against the unjust laws that kept women from having this very right. Here I was, because of this battle not so distant in the past, able to not only cast my vote, but also help walk my husband up to the polling station so that he, too, could vote as well. My heart was racing, I was both excited and nervous.

When we arrived, Billy told the poll worker that he had vision problems and requested that his wife help him with reading the screen. The poll workers were so kind and help make accommodations so that he could take his time to read, and I could stand by his side to help him read if needed. He thanked each and every poll worker for volunteering and for working the poll that day. I beamed proudly at my husband, even in the midst of everything he's gone through, he still takes the time to thank people all around him. One lady became speechless, looked at him, and smiled "That is very kind of you, you're the first person who has thanked me today. I really appreciate that." 

When he finished voting, he placed his hand back on my shoulder and we walked slowly out of the polling station. Outside, the sun beamed on our faces. He did it! He was able to vote! He held up his "I Voted" sticker and posed for a victory shot. "I voted today! I couldn't have done it without your help" he said to me, kissed me, and gave me a great big hug. "Let's go celebrate! How about a walk in the Park of Roses? I'd like to stroll in the rose garden with you and it's a beautiful day for a walk." He put his hand back on my shoulder and we walked slowly back to our vehicle to go celebrate a day of exercising our rights not just as a woman voter, as a nurse voter, as a disabled voter, or as an Ohio voter, but as a person putting in our vote as human beings.