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Making Meaning through Service to Others

andyImagine waking up one day with a little tingling in your toes and the tips of your fingers. You might wonder a little about it, but shrug it off. But if a few days later you began noticing a weakness and a bit of klutziness in your limbs, you would definitely be concerned. Fast-forward a few days, and you’re lying in a hospital bed unable to move any muscle below your neck, and the doctors tell you there’s a chance your lungs will shut down too, and you would be terrified.

That’s what happened to Andy Coan a few months ago. Before that, he was a tremendously fit man in his mid-fifties, who looked like he could still swim a 100 freestyle in world-record time, just as he did as a high-schooler in 1976. His body had totally failed him, and he had absolutely no idea what to expect from this strange and savage disease called Guillain-Barre, which attacked his nervous system. Fortunately, he remembered that another swimmer, Rowdy Gaines, had gone through the same ordeal years before. We were able to track him down, and Rowdy gave Andy two things: useful information about what to expect, and–more importantly—hope.

That hope is what sustains him in his fourth month with the disease as he makes his slow and arduous comeback. He can move his legs somewhat and is relearning how to walk with a lot of support. His arms are all but useless. He can move his shoulders slightly, which is what he’s doing in the picture. When I visited him today, he was on the phone with a fireman who went through an even worse version of the disease (he spent four months on a ventilator because his lungs did shut down). The fireman told him that when he began his recovery, he could barely lift a three pound weight, and yesterday he benched 300 pounds!

That’s the kind of stuff that someone like Andy needs to hear, but it took a lot of trouble and some luck to find people who could help him like that. Now, besides his number one goal of getting better, Andy has another project in mind which sustains him. He wants to find a way—maybe through videos, a blog, and so on—to make it easy for others to get the information and the hope they need as quickly as possible if they ever get into the same situation.

What’s wonderful about listening to Andy describe his project is hearing and seeing the enthusiasm he has for helping others, and when he’s thinking about others, his own troubles are the furthest thing from his mind. To be clear: he knows he will get better eventually, but he doesn’t know how long it will take, and his rehab sessions are as tough as any workout he had back in the good old 10,000-meters-a-practice days when he was training for the Olympics. It’s not easy by any means, but there’s no feeling sorry for himself—because he’s focused on something bigger than himself.

Someone at the hospital today said “Everything happens for a reason.” That’s a cliché, and I don’t know if it’s true in the metaphysical or religious sense. But I am definitely sure that it can be true in a practical sense. Because when something devastating happens to you, you can choose to give it the meaning that you want to give it, and the service of others is about as fine a meaning as you can choose.

The list of ordinary things that Andy can’t do right now is long; but the list of extraordinary things is even more impressive. He can teach, and he can inspire, and that’s also about as fine a list as you can choose.

Note: If you have ideas for how Andy can spread the word and reach out to others who may be facing the terror of Guillain-Barre, please let him or me know, or share this with someone you think can help.

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11 Comments
  • Bob Tucker

    Way to keep the faith and keep focused Andy! Will be praying for you to have a quick and full recovery. You are a true champion in body and Spirit!

  • Dr. Hanning, thank you for your wonderful testimonial! I will pass on your story to Andy later today, and I know it’s going to make him work even harder to keep up with you.

  • You can’t fall off the floor, how true, I was down 10 1/2 hours unable to move legs & arms. My son (hero) found me, who is bigger than my 6’3″, 222 lbs. In Long Bch, CA, to Memorial Hosp ER. Dx : West Nile Virus which also triggered Gillian-Barre.. After 4 weeks of extensive neurological care & Re-Hab I’m back home. I had 12 weeks of Physical Therp. & now 3 days a week at a Fitness Ctr working esp. on leg strength & leg balance, & coming right along (carefully)!!!—-At 88 yrs young I guess I could be classed a tough old buck.

  • Misha Luther

    Andy, my husband is Andy Johns and we saw your video on Facebook tonight! Andy doesn’t do FB so I made sure to show him. You’re still coaching, and you’re still inspiring. We know you’re going to beat this. And we have a foot of snow on the ground, which we find just as awesome as your 85 degrees! 🙂 Lots of Love to you!!!

  • Susan Gauthier

    Thanks Jack.

    After many years of living in New England, I agree with Cindy. Speedy recovery Andy.

  • Thank you for the suggestion, Bonnie. I will pass it on to Andy.

  • Bonnie Glasgow

    I want to recommend a book written by an amazing Baptist preacher who contracted Guilliane Barre syndrome in the 1990s. The name of his book is “You can’t fall off the floor,” His name is Dr. Ralph Smith from Austin Texas and his book is very inspirational… He had a full recovery and I believe was in the hospital for six months!
    God bless you brother Randy… We’re praying like crazy for you here in Austin

  • Thank you, Cindy. I will tell Andy about this.

  • Ron, thank you for that excellent suggestion. I will pass the message on to Andy.

  • Cindy Eckert

    Hi Jack. THANKS for writing the article!

    Has Andy been tested for Lyme disease? I have Lyme disease and have experienced muscle and nerve issues (tingling, numbness, weakness) for the past ten years. Was just diagnosed with Lyme 8 months ago and have done lots of research. Have learned that Lyme can mimic lots of other autoimmune issues including Guilian Barre. I know this is not a mainstream idea and most docs don’t really accept that Lyme even exists (especially in Florida!)… but felt I had to throw that our there to you, and him. thanks again!
    ~Cindy

  • Ron Graves

    Andy we are praying for you and looking forward to hearing of your recovery. Mike Sutton former head basketball coach at Tennessee Tech University went through the same thing approximately seven years ago. my sister has a syndrome called cowdens. She has her own blog it is called Whatsupcowden. This is a great way for her to tell her story and keep her followers updated. Good luck God bless see you soon. Google it so you can see how she does this.

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