Local reenactor with diabetes

[william42]

Diabetes forces Civil War re-enactor to hang up uniform

By Garret Mathews
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
PRINCETON, Ind. - Gary Smith loved being a Civil War re-enactor.
The campfires. The muzzleloaders. The opportunity to put a face on history.


The 45-year-old Gibson County man can't do it any more.




Indeed, he can't do much of anything.
Gary, a diabetic since childhood, has precious little kidney function. In addition to the twice-daily insulin injections, he drives to Evansville three times a week for dialysis.

The quiet-spoken man has trouble walking more than 50 yards at a time unless he has something to lean on. His hands are numb. His vision is worsening.

"I got to where I couldn't go to the re-enactments. I sold my Civil War uniform and my gun. It was a sad day."

The dialysis treatments began in 1999. He's been on total disability since 2002.

"It's like being a shut-in, especially when the weather is hot. I have to fight the urge to pour glasses of water. Anything I drink stays in my body.
"I had to realize that I have a condition that isn't going to get better. I've known this since I was a kid."

He looks down at his shoes.
"I see paperwork that says dialysis patients from diabetes can expect to live eight years. Of course, that depends on how well I take care of myself and I try to do a good job.

"Still, I don't ask the doctor about my long-term prognosis. I'm afraid of what he might tell me."

Long interested in history, Gary enjoyed looking for bullets on Civil War battlefields. This led to him joining a re-enactment unit out of Mattoon, Ill.
"I became the drill sergeant ... put the men through shoulder arms and parade rest. I enjoyed seeing the young ones get the hang of it for the first time."

He laughs.

"But I wasn't tough on the guys. A pushover, really. I never would've made it in the real Army."

His childhood dream was going to college to study music business.
"It was just too expensive. I got in the grocery business instead."
A guitar hangs on the wall behind his chair.
"If you wanted to say something really nice about me and that instrument, you'd say I'm average."
Gary is separated from his wife. He lives with Prince, a 2-year-old cocker spaniel who doesn't always behave around company.
"I go to the library to read war books and I play around on the computer. My life isn't very exciting."

We talked for almost an hour. Not once did Gary Smith complain.
"I try to look at the positive. I hoped I would be able to re-enact for 10 years. That didn't happen, but I did get five in.

"And I was able to go to Gettysburg and that was quite an honor.
"My dialysis group has some pretty neat people. We have our own TVs and headphones, and there's always something to talk about.

"I don't feel bad for myself. There's always somebody who has it worse."
- Garret Mathews' column appears Tuesday through Thursday plus Sunday. You can leave comments for him by calling 464-7527 or by e-mail at gmathews@evansville.net








© 2006 The Evansville Courier Co.