Winning Words 11/17/09
“Three failures denote uncommon strength. A weakling has not enough grit to fail thrice.” (Minna Thomas Antrim) I tried more than 3 times to find information about Minna, other than 1861-1950 as her lifespan. She’s often quoted, but little noted. I have the grit to try again to learn something about Minna. ;-) Jack

FROM ML IN ILLINOIS: trilogy theme this week? FROM JACK: That gives me an idea for tomorrow.

FROM L IN ILLINOIS: Although Stafon Johnson only spoke seven words, they were loaded with meaning and hope. Repeating the last words spoken to him by his late grandfather, the Southern California tailback said, "God has a plan. Run, Stafon, run." FROM JACK: WWs' readers might want to Google the Stafon story.

FROM SH IN MICHIGAN: You know, today's WW are uncanny. Three times I had a loss, an adversity attack me and try to make me completely despairing and without faith. My comfort is in the Apostle Paul having that thorn in his side which he prayed for relief three times and all the other three's in the Bible. What is it about that number 3?!!!!! FROM JACK: Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY: Boy am I ever strong!!! FROM JACK: Philippians 4:13

FROM R.I. IN BOSTON: Based on Minna's comments, count me among the strong!

FROM AM IN MICHIGAN: I often think of Churchill when I think of failure. He had many sruggles but, oh, the strengths! Never heard of Antrim but Antrim is a county in Ulster, northern Ireland. Thank you for the words.

FROM CJL IN OHIO: Aren't you finished after three? FROM JACK: If at third you don't succeed, try, try again.

FROM SG IN TAMPA: Who was Minna? FROM JACK: That's what I want to know.

STAFON JOHNSON of the Southern California Trojans scored the winning touchdown against Ohio State in September, a few weeks before his weight room accident. Johnson already can speak in a soft, raspy voice less than three months after a weight bar crushed his throat in a potentially fatal weight room accident. He briefly demonstrated his remarkable recovery Saturday before the Trojans' game against Stanford. "Just the whisper, it was a big thing," said Kim Mallory, Johnson's mother. "I wasn't expecting any type of sound for a while. It's overwhelming." Johnson also has regained the ability to swallow and eat solid food, an improbably quick achievement after several operations on his neck, according to the doctors who have supervised his recovery since the late-September accident in the USC weight room. Dr. Ryan Osborne said the tracheostomy tube has been removed from Johnson's throat, and he no longer has a feeding tube in his stomach. "Anyone looking at him today, or who heard the story, would say it's miraculous," said Dr. Jason Hamilton, a throat specialist. "No physician can tell a patient what his chances are for recovery. He never put limitations on himself, and that's why he's making great strides." Johnson has had three more operations since leaving the hospital Oct. 14. His right vocal cord was torn away from its mooring and his larynx was crushed. His doctors seemed even more impressed by his ability to swallow, thinking it might be impossible for someone with such a severe injury. "Due to a gladiator-type mentality toward his outcome ... he has regained the ability to swallow," Osborne said. It's too early to tell whether Johnson has the interest or ability to return to the sport. When asked if he intended to play for USC next season, he responded with a shrug. Mallory isn't surprised by Johnson's determination. Johnson decided he wanted to play football when he was 5 years old, and no amount of cajoling from his mother — "Don't you want to play baseball? Don't you think basketball is better?" she recalled saying — could dissuade him from the violent sport. "(There are) good days, bad days, but because Stafon is a fighter, there's never been any (depression)," Mallory said. Johnson only gets emotional at the thought of not being able to speak to his young son, Stafon Jr., but he's not even on medication for pain or depression, a common necessity for patients with similar injuries. Johnson's doctors and family all seem optimistic for something approaching a full recovery. "Will there be any limitations on him?" Osborne asked. Those are only going to be set by Stafon."

FROM PRFM IN WISCONSIN: A great word today . . . I checked for something on her life and doings, but couldn't find anything. Maybe someone should write a brief bio on her . . . Jack. You have the qualifications!

FROM GS IN MICHIGAN: my heroine! FROM JACK: I read this week that there are he-roes and she-roes.

FROM LP IN MICHIGAN: eck! I'm reviewing my _three_ thesis topics as I prepare for my defense. May it not be a test of my grit as well. FROM JACK: I have something to send to you or anybody which will indicate whether or not you are under stress.