CHALLENGED TO INSPIRE By Suz Trusty

Joel Addink of A-G Sod Farms introduced the speaker for the TPI Conference Inspirational Breakfast in Houston, TX, last February. Fitting—as his wife Shirley was that speaker who would touch hearts with a message of faith, hope and humor. Joel shared copies of an article he’d read about her 27 years ago, which prompted him to meet that incredible lady.

Shirley and her friend, Rhonda Lemonds, in their 20s at the time, were nurses at the University of Missouri Hospital and Clinic in Columbia, MO. Teir Christian singles group had gathered for a retreat at the home of Rhonda’s parents, in Lake St. Louis, MO, a community built around two manmade lakes. While most of the group headed home after church and lunch on Sunday, June 19, 1983, Shirley and Rhonda joined friends for an afternoon of water skiing.

Te lake was turbulent with a horde of boaters, but Shirley did well on two skis. Twice she kicked off a ski and attempted to ski on one, and twice she fell. As the boat’s driver retrieved the ski, the boat drifted toward Shirley as she was swimming to board it. Te boat backed over her drawing her legs into the propeller.

Shirley said, “We went to church every week when I was a child, so I had the head knowledge. But in my teens, when I surrendered to the Lord, the Bible took on new meaning for me. I knew that God would never leave me and never forsake me, that He was with me always. It’s through His miracle I’m here today.”

Tough the tow rope had blocked a full body assault, her right leg was mangled; her left cut deeply; and both were bleeding profusely. “I looked at the water filled with blood, but instead of panic and fear, the 23rd Psalm filled my mind,” said Shirley.

Te pieces of the miracle fit together. Rhonda swam out to support her. Te head nurse of the closest hospital lived on the lake, called 911, and ran to help. Others shared a surfboard which Rhonda and friends used to float Shirley to shore. Paramedics arrived a few minutes later; slowed the bleeding; assessed the severity of the injuries; and alerted the hospital to assemble a team of surgeons. In shock, with massive blood loss, she was rushed to the operating room.

Shirley says, “In intensive care the next morning, I learned my right leg had been amputated above the knee and my left leg had required 56 stitches, but I could wiggle the toes on my left foot. I knew my life would be changed forever. Te words of John 16:33 say ‘In this world you will have tribulation...’

TPI Turf News July/August 2016

Not you might, but you will. Yet it also says ‘… But take heart, I have overcome the world.’ And also, in Philippians 4:13, ‘I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.’ We can try to run from suffering, or allow it to make us angry, or we can let it teach us how to live more fully. With the Lord’s help, if we try, that will happen.”

She spent two weeks in the hospital; six weeks in a wheelchair at her parents’ home in Norfolk, NE. It took five months for her left leg to heal; physical therapy was difficult and painful. But once fitted with a prosthesis, she quickly learned to walk again. Trough it all, friends reported Shirley was the one comforting others; greeting each challenge with determination, faith—and humor.

Shirley Addink fields questions with grace—and humor.

She tackled water skiing on one ski in July, 1984; completed her B.S. degree in nursing; snow skis and plays golf. She’s wife to Joel and the Mom of two daughters and a son, “that keep me running. Te prosthesis fits high on the leg and stays there through the suction principle. “It’s a struggle to find one that works well and is comfortable. While it’s sometimes easier to manipulate with crutches, I don’t like to make others uncomfortable.”

Faith is her rock and foundation; humor is her ice-breaker. “Tere are advantages,” Shirley said. “I get pedicures at half-price. We get to ride first at Disney. And it gives me great stories. I love to paint, and had climbed high up the ladder while painting outside. My leg fell off and landed in the bushes.” She jokes, “Joel had to call the fire department to get his wife off the roof.”

“Others cope with so much more. I count my blessings every day and thank God for all he’s given me.”

Suz Trusty is co-editor of Turf News. Photo by Steve Trusty

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