A Man's Story
Ben Park and Don Herbert retrace the story of a man who had lost his legs in an accident six years earlier.
The program begins with a man talking about finding the protagonist of the story, Ray, just after he had lost his legs.
Park describes the accident. He also tells that they were struggling to decide how to tell this week's story.
They start by speaking with the nurse in the plant's medical department who had first seen the patient. She described the area where his legs where severed as looking like "dirty hamburger." She called in the medical director of the plant, who told them to call an ambulance. She talks about gathering up Ray's personal effects and how depressing it was, as he seemed like a sportsman.
Herbert next speaks to the doctor. They gave him a blood transfusion and took him to the operating table. He did not feel that the man truly understood the seriousness of his injury.
His then son, then 12, now 18, who describes an odd supper he somehow remembers vividly that had taken place just before the accident. He talks about hearing about the accident.
The mother recounts hearing about the accident. She talks about seeing his severed legs.
The man describes the feeling he had after the accident. He felt numb from the waist down and fairly calm about the situation. He "snapped out of it' after about five days. He mentions his wife's calmness as well, which he appreciated.
His wife talks about knowing that he would live and be home for Christmas.
Commercial break
Park recounts the story so far. He tells us that when Ray came home, he placed a pillow in front of the area where his legs would have been to prevent his children from seeing his injury. He took it away, feeling that they should see him as he was. He tells us he had a very happy Christmas, with all of his family coming to see him.
The son recalls seeing Ray for the first time and how happy the Christmas was.
Ray's wife recalls having Ray around and the psychological difficulties inherent in recovering from injuries of his type.
Park tells us that what remained of Ray's legs was too short to allow for artificial limbs. Herbert talks to Ray about how that felt. He talked about making the best of things. He recounts his search for work. He decided to try to go into safety-related work. He started selling food at a nearby ball park, a business that slowly expanded. Herbert asks about his becoming a police magistrate. Ray tells us that he was asked to run by some people he met through selling food at the ball park. He tells us that he felt "quite honored."
They go to a courtroom, where Ray now works. They go to a hearing that he was presiding over. Herbert interviews him afterward. They talk about his being a safety officer after had an accident.
Herbert interviews Ray's son. He tells that Ray listens more than he used to and it has helped bring the family together. The accident gave Ray a new outlook on life and the importance of family.
His mother is interviewed by Herbert. She seconds her sons sentiments in her own words.
They talk to the man who found Ray again, who discusses the good spirits Ray had in spite of his accident. Herbert talks to the nurse briefly again as well.
Ray talks about being able to accomplish a lot if person has set their mind to it. He talks about how the accident was a turning point in his life - he has taken much more in interest in his home, his community, and his country.
Commercial break.
Park teases the program from next week, about sex education.
Audio courtesy of the NYC Municipal Archives WNYC Collection
WNYC archives id: 150113
Municipal archives id: LT1960
