My first memory was of my father driving me to the hospital after an accident. I was 2. That triggered further memories. At that time I was not aware that he was on crutches.
At home he would go up the stairs on his rear end. My brother and I thought he was doing that to make us laugh.
Later my grandmother explained the situation to me. "Haven't you noticed his braces and crutches? He has to use them because he came down with a serious disease. In spite of that, he works hard to buy you food. He also works to raise money to cure his disease. You should be nicer to him."
Dad was well-loved in the Baltimore area. He was kind, friendly, accepting of his pain and a man of integrity.
He died in 1982 at age 72. His name was H. Edwin Jones.