Anna Monica / L’Observateur / June 16, 1999

It was my first walk with my animal, Eppie Jo, since my broken ankle incident last January. And, it was interesting as well. It’s amazing whatyou learn about and from your neighbors while just walking through your neighborhood. There are always people outside to wave to, call out to or tostop and talk to such as I did with Ethel Mae Trosclair and Frances St.

Pierre, also out for a walk. Lynn and Delores Bourgeois were tending theflowerbeds in their yard, to mention just a few I saw.

Then there was Francis “Red” Brignac, cleaning up in front of the Garyville firehouse. We, too, stopped to speak, and I was glad we did because to lookinto Red’s face was to look into a face of courage, acceptance and lack of pity.

Red was at one time very active in the community, a constant presence at St. Hubert’s Church as an usher and a volunteer fireman, but he had livedaway briefly. Now he’s back and it hasn’t taken long for him to get backinto local, familiar activities. As he continued to sweep the cement infront of the firehouse, Red spoke of some of his recent experiences. Hewas glad to be home and was feeling well physically, which is great since for the past year he has been on dialysis.

As Red held out his arm, pushed up his shirt sleeve to show the ugly marks left by dialysis treatments, it was difficult not to feel and show a bit of sympathy. But Red’s response quickly relieved my reaction of compassion.”I am going to do what I always did,” he said. “I’m not going to let thisstop me. I feel good, so why shouldn’t I live my life like I want to and keepon doing whatever I can.”In the eyes of the world, Red Brignac may not be extremely accomplished in any area, be it academic or financial. In fact, he is basically a simpleperson who has had a number of problems with his health and other major issues. He is, though, most simple when it comes down to being a truehuman being, subjected to the frailties, possible successes, failures and surprises life has to offer. You can’t help but admire his ability to acceptwhatever comes his way. Those who know him have seen him go throughadversity and continue to forge ahead, just as he does now. What he doeslack is a “poor me” attitude.

“It’s really not so bad,” he says of the dialysis treatments. He smiles andspeaks of it matter-of factly. Anyone having a fear of needing dialysiswould feel that fear being diminished in talking to Red and would benefit from his attitude. Actually, that’s probably true for any of us with chronicillnesses or disabilities. Besides, he looks really good and strong as hepushes that broom and picks up discarded objects.

Fire chief, Faron “Slim” Duhe says he is glad to have his helper back, and Red is equally glad to be back, to be of help again, and will be there in between dialysis treatments.

I was glad I took that walk that day. It was uplifting and a lesson to belearned as I faced courage – and acceptance in what is Red Brignac.

Anna Monica is a regular columnist for L’Observateur

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