The X Man

This is the story of a complete stranger – one that left an enormous impression on me – in just a brief period of time. It was during a routine wait for testing at the hospital that I first came in contact with The X Man. Upon entering the reservation area, I staked out an unoccupied area and after checking in, settled in facing the entrance to unashamedly begin a favorite ritual – people watching.

X marks the spot

The usual suspects lined the perimeter around check in: an elderly gentleman with his wife – I immediately guessed that he was the patient taking note of the wrinkled creases of concern present on his companion’s face; a pregnant woman – unaccompanied and seemingly lost in the depths of PEOPLE Magazine; a young couple and their just-walking toddler; a 30-something man, unshaven and dressed from head-to-toe in Carhart. So far, nothing out of the ordinary.

That’s when The X Man rolled in, the whir of his electric wheelchair barely audible. Accompanied by two bright-eyed teenagers, who seemed perfectly at ease, he radiated strength and in the spotlight of the eyes in the waiting room, he took the stage like a seasoned actor.

At first glance, the man appeared to be completely disabled. And then he spoke. Actually, he laughed. After finding a place to wait, he began talking with his children, his voice filled with animation – and they laughed openly together. For all those present, this man was a reflection of what is great about life – and the pursuit of happiness.

Was I the only one who had been touched by his grace? I quickly surveyed the room: the elderly couple were quietly whispering to one another, the pregnant woman returned to her retreat in PEOPLE and the family was preoccupied with the “too cute” antics of their little one. “Strange” I thought to myself. When The X Man walked or rather rolled into the room, I felt the air shift a bit – almost like the energy had been replaced with something more refreshing. But the others didn’t seem to notice or if they did, they weren’t letting on.

When the registration desk called his name, X glided over with his children just close enough. When it was time for The X Man to sign the informational forms necessary to admit him for testing, he took the pen in his mouth and drew an X on the signature line. After reviewing the signature, the registration clerk asked if “someone else could sign for him?” X regarded the woman with genuine kindness and said “that is my official and legal signature. These are my children. They are minors and I am their guardian - and as such cannot give permission for my care.”

At that moment, The X Man dazzled like Venus on a dark, cloudless, winter’s night in northern Michigan. My mind was flooded with images of people I had come in contact with over the years who when questioned about even the simplest things were unkind, disingenuous, and at times, downright mean. I was one of those people. The X Man reminded me that day that as human beings, we are born with the right to be respected. And that no matter how many times a question is asked, it is still deserving of a kind and authentic answer. After all, it is how we treat those around us that matters most when we leave this planet. The X Man’s legacy will live in my mind forever. And I don’t even know him.