“Junior” McDonald was almost always on a corner near the school as class was dismissed, waving to us from his little flat scooter. And my friends and I never paid him much heed.

What a shame. He could have taught us some things.

Birth Defect in HIs Legs

Charles “Junior” McDonald suffered from a kind of birth defect that left his legs undeveloped and eventually simply hanging as useless appendages. He never had a formal education, though certainly in today’s environment he would have gone to school. Starting in 1975, laws required public schools to provide services for all children, regardless of handicap, and many started years before that time.

Platform on Wheels

Instead, he pedaled his flat platform on wheels, as my father’s Postscripts column noted, “patiently observing Gallatin’s world go by.” He moved by using his hands to turn bicycle pedals to propel the cart via a chain and sprocket. Earlier he had only his padded hands to bump himself along the pavement.

Always Cheerful Despite Hardships

Junior was always happy and cheerful, as I recall from my childhood, though his life couldn’t have been all that fulfilling. Think about it. No schooling, no family of his own. But he made the most of what he had, I suppose. In fact when neighborhood children Junior’s age were small, they used to play together, the playmates getting down on the ground to play at his level.

Funeral Services Nearly Full

Upon his death, Dad wrote, “the mortuary was nearly full….for his funeral service. The conversation at the visitation reflected this community’s admiration for him; it was obvious many respected him, admired him, even loved him. All were aware of the struggle he had faced his entire life and endured without complaint, regret or blame.” And Junior likely was proud of the sendoff he received, something he probably hadn’t expected.

Lived 80 Years, 27 in a Nursing Home

It was perhaps amazing that Junior lived 80 years, 27 of those in the Daviess County Care Center. He went there when his mother became a resident there. They were nearly inseparable, and many thought he would wither away upon her death. But he surprised them. In fact, he became a favorite of the nursing home staff. He enjoyed sitting in the lobby to share the fellowship of other residents and watch the comings and goings of visitors. Many nursing home staff members teared up with great emotion when he died.

Joined Presbyterian Church

About three years before his death, Junior told a kind member of the First Presbyterian Church, who came regularly to read him scripture, that he would like to be baptized. So the church arranged a special ceremony with the pastor and members of the congregation present. It was a meaningful ceremony, according to my father’s column. In fact, a retired pastor of that church handled the funeral service for Junior.

Was Junior’s Life Worth Something?

While my friends and I largely ignored the friendly man waving from his little scooter, I’m sure that Junior was welcomed into the beyond. He’s in a place now where deformed legs don’t matter, and everyone is equal. Junior no longer needs that scooter.