On National Public Radio today I heard an article about a young man, Ned Rogers, who is now a quadriplegic and severely brain damaged as a result of a car accident six years ago. He was told by the doctors that he would never speak or move again.

Enter Kasey the monkey, who has been trained to help the disabled with household chores, like fetching objects, opening lids etc. With Kasey, so much has been possible, and not just for easy access to the TV remote control.

The deep and profound love connection that has grown between man and monkey created the desire in Ned to pat and caress Kasey. With focussed effort and pure intention he now has sufficient movement in his hands (including the right hand that initially had no movement at all), to stroke his cheeky companion and show the love he feels for her.

So, Kasey, trained to open jars and retrieve snacks from the fridge, has turned out to be so much more. Infinitely more. Ned says that Kasey comforts and relaxes him “like no drug.”

She curls up on his shoulder, right next to Ned’s ear, and it is as if she knows what Ned is feeling and experiencing , which is often intense pain. Almost unbelievably, for those uninitiated in the power of love, that is, Kasey’s close and loving presence actually reduces Ned’s pain.

Reducing pain, healing paralyzed limbs; what else can love do?

Eileen McBride
Eileen McBride is the author of Love Equals Power 2, a spiritual seeker and teacher. This article was published on April 6, 2011.