“ Yes , it ’ ll be on going until I get a new kidney . I am currently working at eleven to twelve percent . I go three times a week for 4 hours ,” Barney said .
This unfortunate commonality between the two provided an opportunity for Barney to encourage Rae in a personal way .
“[ I told her ], there ’ s other parts of the game you can still play . Even shooting with First Strike rounds ,” Barney said . “ You give me a radio and I ’ ll get you some kills , and or complete a mission . That ’ s the way you have to look at it . Besides , all my friends are in paintball .”
For Rae , that was more inspiration than she could bear . Through tears , she thanked Barney and told him that he had given her hope . Before meeting him , she was convinced that she had to do all of her living now , because once dialysis starts , that was it . Life would be over .
“ He gave me a different outlook on everything ,” Rae said . “ He gave me hope . [ Barney ] is living proof that there is life to be lived .”
And there is always a place for us in paintball .
Photo By Zac Arbuckle
052 paintball . media magazine