Against all odds – is the chance we have to take
By Carol C. Harder
As this story from history goes, in 1883, an engineer with a very creative bent – John Roebling – was inspired by an idea to want to build a spectacular bridge that would link New York City with Long Island.
Bridge-building experts from all around the world, however, thought this would be an impossible thing to do – and point blank told Roebling to forget the whole thing.
But, Roebling could not escape from the vision of the bridge that kept bouncing around in his mind. He was sure, deep in his heart, that it could be done – he just had to convince someone to see the idea in the same way.
It took a lot of persuasion and discussion, but he eventually managed to convince his son, Washington (a bright, young, up-and-coming engineer) that such a structure could be built.
Father and son – working together as a duo for the first-ever time – developed concepts of how the bridge could be built – overcoming any and all obstacles that stood in the way. With inspired excitement – along with headiness about the wild challenge they had placed before themselves – they hired a crew and all set to work on building the dream bridge.
Things started well, but tragically, 0nly a few months into the project, an accident on the site took the life of John Roebling – and his son, Washington, was injured, suffering brain damage that left him not able to walk, talk – or even move.
All of the naysayers adopted the “We told you so” attitude, with negative comments the norm. Many thought that the project should be scrapped, since it was only the Roeblings who knew how the bridge could be built.
Despite his multiple handicaps, Washington remained positive, optimistic – never discouraged – and even retained a burning desire to complete the bridge. Although his body was damaged – his mind was as sharp as ever.
He tried to pass this enthusiasm on to others, asking them to take up the work – but they were too daunted by the task.
While lying in his hospital bed, a breeze from the open window blew the curtains apart and Washington was able to see the bright blue, cloudless sky, along with the green of the tree tops for only a moment. He believed this view of the beautiful world outside the hospital was a message to him to not give up.
Contemplating what to do next, Washington decided to make the best use of what he had to work with. And that was the one finger that he coulde move.
By moving his finger, he developed – slowly over time – a code of communication with his wife.
He would touch his wife’s arm, indicating that he wanted her to call the engineer. He used that same procedure of tapping her arm with his finger to tell the engineers what it was they should do. It was slow and painstaking – but the bridge work was once again underway.
Washington tapped out his instructions on his wife’s arm with his finger for 13 years – until the bridge was finally completed.
Today, that bridge – the Brooklyn Bridge – spans the East River, connecting Manhattan with Brooklyn and Queens. The structure stands as a tribute to the triumph of one man’s indomitable spirit and the determination to not let one’s circumstances cause defeat. It also embraces the team work of the engineers who took up the project, and kept their faith in Washington. It is also a tangible monument to the love and devotion of Washington’s wife, who patiently decoded the messages her husband tapped out for 13 years, and went on to tell the engineer what to do and how to do it.
This is one of the best examples of how the right attitude can create achievement.
Each of us often face obstacles in our day-to-day lives; it’s easy to get discouraged, even over small hurdles in our way.
Impossible, distant dreams can be reached with perseverance and determination – but that work is up to each of us individually. Yes, it is true – against all odds, is the chance we have to take.