The Men

That was a bad shot,

or else he was impatient.

He must've aimed for my head,

but he got me in the back.

I was scared. I couldn't feel

anything from my waist down.

I thought I was dying.

It's funny.

It's very, very funny.

I was afraid I was gonna die.

Now I'm afraid I'm gonna live.

"Oh, you'll be walking again

in a couple of months,

Lieutenant Wilczek."

How many months?

I've lost count.

But let's keep it gay.

Soldier, repeat after me:

"The war's over now, and I'm

glad I'm still half alive.

I'm a lucky-"

- A fine way to treat a Silver Star.

- Turn the light out.

Good night.

You know how it is.

You read a lot of things.

You hear a lot of things.

You get a lot of misinformation

from people who oughta know better.

Okay, let's summarize

what we've learned.

Paraplegia is the result

of an injury to the spinal cord.

That break in the cord causes

immediate and lasting paralysis...

of motion and feeling

in the lower body.

In general, most paraplegic

patients will, at various times,

suffer all

of the following symptoms:

pain, muscular spasms,

bed sores,

paralysis of the bladder

and bowels.

However, all of these

may and can be controlled...

by medical therapy, surgery,

proper nutrition,

physical rehabilitation

and self-care.

Lastly, the question of walking.

In almost every case, the word

"walk" must be forgotten.

It no longer exists.

In short, most paraplegics...

must content themselves

with life in a wheelchair.

Make yourselves accept that.

It'll make it

a lot easier for them.

Well, I've talked a long time.

Perhaps there are some

questions you'd like to ask.

Doctor, my boy -

he's only 19.

I know.

But with proper care,

he may live to be 90.

Doctor-Brock, is it?

Well, this condition-

there must be some cure.

Paraplegia isn't

a death sentence any longer.

I'm happy to say

that in this hospital...

the mortality rate has been

less than three percent.

I didn't mean that.

I meant the spine injury.

Surely there must be

some way of healing it.

There must be

specialists somewhere.

Madam, there is no method

known to medical science...

for the regeneration

of spinal cord tissue.

None.

Doctor,

my husband and I,

we have a little girl.

We've always wanted

to have a large family,

but now if we could just have

at least one more for the child's sake.

Will it be possible?

Well, that's difficult to say.

In some cases, it is possible.

However, I can't discuss

your husband here.

I'll be happy to meet

with you whenever you say.

Dr. Brock, what about

the bladder and bowels?

How badly are they affected?

Most men find that they're capable

of retraining themselves...

and in time achieving

regularity in these functions.

Any more questions?

Dr. Brock.

We've been married nine years.

I thought my husband and I knew

each other as well as anyone could,

and I want to keep

our marriage going.

But... he's so changed.

He's different.

He isn't different.

He's the same man

with a spinal cord injury.

- But when I try...

- Oh, I know right now he's unhappy.

He's depressed.

He feels himself totally

dependent on others.

He says to himself,

"Im not a man any longer.

I can't make a woman happy."

ls it any wonder he finds it difficult

to adjust to the situation?

But... how long will it take?

Face it

It's going to take time.

It's going to take patience.

For you and for him.

But... will we have

anything in common now?

No more, no less

than you had before.

Dr. Brock,

if you were a woman,

would you marry a paraplegic?

Might as well just ask me

if I want to get married, period.

And the answer to that is no.

However, this young lady here

is marrying one of our patients.

You might check with her.

Any other questions?

If not, suppose

we adjourn the meeting?

And please feel free

to consult with me whenever

you have any problems.

Because you will.

Good night.

Good night.

Good night.

Doctor?

- More questions?

- I'm afraid so.

You have a patient here

named Bud Wilczek.

Kenneth Wilczek.

We were engaged

before he went overseas.

Well, after he was hurt,

he wrote and said it was all off.

He's never even let me

come to see him.

Why don't you leave him alone?

Because he doesn't

really want it that way.

I know he doesn't.

I know why he's acting

like this. I'm no fool.

Besides, you made it

very clear just now.

Why don't you write to him?

I have, naturally.

He doesn't answer.

I was so sure you'd help me.

Don't you understand?

This is the third hospital

I've followed him to.

Yes, I understand.

What do you want to do?

- I want to marry him.

- Why?

Why? For the usual reasons.

Do you have parents?

- Yes.

- Do they feel as you do?

Why shouldn't they?

Anyway, they're not engaged

to him; I am.

Well, what do you want me to do?

You're his doctor.

You could talk to him.

I can't interfere

in his personal life.

Don't you think he needs me?

Don't you think I can help him?

I don't know.

It takes a pretty special kind

of woman in a lot of ways.

Maybe I'm special.

Maybe.

Give me a ring in a day or two.

Oh, thank you, Doctor.

I will.

Get up! Get up!

Here they come!

Good morning, gentlemen.

Good morning, Doctor.

- Hi, Doc.

- Good morning, Doc.

- Good morning, Mr. Thompson.

- Good morning, Doctor.

- How are you feeling?

- Okay, Doc.

- What's his residual?

- Nine out, one and a half left.

- Good! How did that happen?

- We just stood around him and prayed.

Well, that's nice, but

let's keep working on it.

The patient's balance

of bladder function is now good.

He may proceed with all

routine activity, including gym.

- How's the family?

- Fine.

- The little one's starting to talk.

- Time sure flies.

You said it.

How are you today,

Mr. Mullin?

- I'm still here.

- Oh, I see.

Well, let's take

a look at that closure.

This looks good.

I'm proud of you.

- Did you hear that?

- I heard it.

What are you reading there?

"Nature Girl Meets the Monster."

Oh, please!

Is that all you can find to do?

Read those junky comic books?

Do I tell you what to read?

Closure of the sacral decubitus

ulcer has been successful.

Patient may proceed

with routine mild activity.

Hopkins, what are you

doing here?

You aren't due back

for two weeks.

- I know.

- Well, what's wrong? What happened?

Nothing. I went home

and I came back.

But you didn't use up your month.

Come on. What's the score?

Oh, my mother. She means well.

They all do.

But they keep telling me I'll walk

again if I want to bad enough.

Didn't you explain it to them?

Sure. So they sit around

looking at me...

like I'm a freak on wheels.

At night I can hear

my old lady crying.

Gee, I gotta live too.

Look, it took you three years

to get where you are.

Can't you give them three weeks?

Will you try it again

in a month or two?

If you say so, Doc.

Yep.

Good morning, Mr. Fine.

You look just fine today.

All right.

So it's not funny.

I'm no Jack Benny.

I'm just a plumber.

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