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Dear Jen:

I hadn't thought about my encounter with Ms. McCullers in quite some time; a few days ago, someone brought up the subject of Tennessee Williams (I'll get to that in a moment), and voila! There it was -- my recollection of that brief but significant relationship with Carson McCullers. I have been searching for that Christmas story for years (I thought kept it, but of course I cannot find it, and now I'm not sure I did keep it.) My understanding is that it was the very last thing she wrote before she died. Needless to say, that would be quite an honor if true --

Ms. McCullers (I couldn't possibly call her "Carson") was one of my two roommates at the Neurological Institute, then part of the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in NYC, now known as New York Presbyterian. She was admitted a few days after I was; that was in late November or early December, 1964. She was admitted with, I believe, a fractured hip. It was evident that she had also experienced a stroke, probably a few years before (?) as her hand was quite deformed and curled up; she had a great deal of difficulty moving her arm and her leg. She was obviously in pain much of the time.

I was then a recent double leg amputee, electing to have amputations of both of my legs and feet (below the knees) in August of that year. [Long story --but, briefly, I was born with multiple deformities of both legs and feet. Although I could walk, it was with some discomfort and I had a noticeable limp. When I reached the age of 20, I asked the doctors in the orthopedic clinic at the Presbyterian Hospital (where I had been followed since birth) what, if anything, could be done for me. They suggested amputations, an option I had previously thought about but consciously avoided.] I was using a wheelchair to get around, as I was just fitted with prostheses and was just learning to use them.

Somehow, I managed to attract the interest of Ms. McCullers. I didn't know who she was nor her fame. I just enjoyed talking and sharing life's little philosophies with her. Ms. McCullers had a very difficult time in rehab -- It was hard for her; she appeared to be discouraged and in pain. I often tried to encourage her in my own way, as I truly sympathized with her and "felt her pain." She just seemed so sad.

She also often shared a "nip" from the bottle of bourbon that she kept in the bottom drawer of her bedside table. I, being as young as I was, sure enjoyed that nip with her! I was impressed that the hospital would allow her to have alcohol in the hospital! Pretty naive of me -- It was only several days (perhaps a week or so) later that a physical therapist mentioned her notoriety.

One day, she had a visitor -- someone whose name I did know -- Tennessee Williams! He was a slight man, dressed in dark clothing (a suit, I think) and wearing a tie and a hat. He had a moustache and those same sad eyes. Ms. McCullers invited me over to her bed, across from mine, and introduced me to him. She then poured a "nip" into a paper cup for me, a bigger nip for him, and she drank straight from the bottle. We toasted to better times ahead. I shook Mr. Williams' hand again, and I wheeled back to my bed.

We continued our talks for the several days/weeks following. Eventually, just before the Christmas holiday, I was discharged to home with my "new" legs. Ms. McCullers and I said our goodbyes, and I sensed a different sadness about her. I was too excited and nervous to really be concerned -- Perhaps she knew that she wouldn't be achieving similar success. I just felt a little sad that I had to leave her.

So -- That's the story! A few years later, I heard that she had passed away. Somebody sent me a copy of that article, and I cried a little. She was one of the most interesting people I had ever met -- or will meet.
Regardless of the time that's gone by, I remember Ms. McCullers well, and our time together with fondness. That story means a great deal to me!

I can't tell you how warm these memories have made me feel. Thank you. The very best to you in your project! I hope I was able to contribute, even in some small way, to Ms. McCullers' legacy.

Sincerely,
Carol (Ross) Sheredos
December 2003

"I met Carol a few days before the Christmas when we were both patients in the hospital for physical therapy. Carol was a very busy girl: she painted in watercolors, drew with crayons, and most of all she planned for her future. At that time, she was planning for a Christmas Eve party, for it was going to be the first time in her life that she was going to walk with her new prosthetic legs to a party....."

--McCullers, Carson. "A Hospital Christmas Eve." McCalls, 95 (December 1967), 96-97.