John Madden: Near Death Experiences Taught Him About Overcoming Life’s Challenges, Even in a Pandemic
Meet John Madden. No, not the famous former sportscaster and football coach. This John Madden is not famous and would be known by his family and friends for his love of painting, gardening, and the bleeding disorder he was born with, hemophilia A. From the time he was very small, his mother told him he had a bleeding disorder which he inherited from his grandfather. His mother, while protective in many ways, wanted John to have as normal a life as possible and to be like other children in the neighborhood. Little was known back then about caring for and treating those impacted with hemophilia. John enjoyed sports and his mother allowed him to play high-impact contact sports like football. He also played baseball and basketball.
Now 68 years old, John realizes that playing high-impact sports was probably not the best idea. The many bruises and joint bleeds he experienced over the years caused severe arthritis in his knees and ankles later in life, resulting in several surgeries, including two knee replacements. Over the years, John learned to take care of himself when he had bleeds (using RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation). He has survived a great deal, including several near-death experiences and a successful heart surgery to repair a mitral valve at the age of 60. In fact, all together he has had over eight surgeries. In addition, John has endured debilitating nerve pain and paralysis of his right leg from femoral neuralgia, the impact of the pain medications given to treat the condition, and the demoralizing aspects resulting from being out of work on disability.
“John is a rock of spiritual life; he is such an inspiration and always learning and growing,” says Sonya Hardin, a nurse at Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG). “He is a survivor, hard-working, and determined. He had been out of work on disability for many years and was so determined to get back. In the last couple of years he took courses to learn more and enable himself to become a licensed insurance agent and transition from his previous career as a network administrator. He hopes to get back to work soon, but the pandemic has definitely not helped that situation. I know John and am confident he will bounce back, continue to be successful, and find work soon.”
John credits his determination and strength to his positive attitude and faith in God. “I have been through many difficult situations before, been close to death several times, many close calls, especially in my younger years,” he said. “Those experiences taught me a lot. They taught me the importance of having a positive attitude…and my faith has gotten me through some very difficult times.”
When asked what advice he would give to others who are struggling with life challenges or who are unemployed due to the pandemic, he advised, “It is hard sometimes, but you can’t give up! You must pull yourself up, stay focused, and take every opportunity you are given to learn and grow. Having that mindset also helps to keep you from being depressed. I believe if you put forth the effort, work hard, and have faith, things are going to work out. I hope and have faith I will find work soon. Also, reach out for help when you need it. I am blessed to have an incredible network of doctors, nurses, and social workers through my relationship with Hemophilia of Georgia (HoG). What a great organization…I cannot say enough about them. HoG has been there for me through everything. They are the only organization in Georgia that has an extensive clinical services network that totally understands me and my medical needs. It is because of them that I am able to get the quality comprehensive care that I need. They also have great educational dinners and events where I get to meet other people with bleeding disorders, learn and have fun. I am so grateful to Hemophilia of Georgia because when I reach out to them, it is like having a helping hand to lift you up that is also a member of the family. That is so important. They have been incredible to me, especially throughout the pandemic!”