Rush’s Challenge
No obstacle will defeat my brother.

By David Limbaugh, syndicated columnist and lawyer. Limbaugh is author of Absolute Power, about the Clinton-Reno Justice Department.
October 11, 2001 9:30 a.m.

hen NRO asked me if I wanted to submit a piece on Rush I was initially disinclined for fear of sounding self-indulgent. But with the outpouring of support from his fans and their various concerns and questions I agreed to share a bit from the personal side. So here goes.

Ever since I can remember my brother Rush has had a passion for broadcasting. Though we were avid baseball fans, he listened to Cardinal radio broadcasts as much to study the style and verve of broadcast legend Harry Caray as to follow the game itself.

When we were very young Rush persuaded our parents to buy him a Remco Caravelle, a little toy that served as a mini-broadcast studio. That little device enabled Rush to simulate his own radio broadcasts and actually transmit them over the AM radio waves within the confines of our home. Our parents dutifully and indulgently listened downstairs as Rush held forth from our bedroom on the second floor.

One day he'd be a DJ, spinning records and imitating his childhood DJ idol, Larry Lujak of Chicago's 50,000-watt blowtorch, WLS. The next he would call a baseball game as he watched it on TV with the sound muted.

Rush constantly listened to the radio for music, sports, and genuine fascination with the medium. As he listened to the experts he closely studied their voices and technique. While he had fun doing it he was also in serious preparation for his career ambition. He had a singular focus from a very early age that never left him.

Though he was always sure what he wanted to do, he encountered many obstacles along the way. Our dad didn't object to him pursuing broadcasting and didn't pressure him to follow family tradition and become a lawyer, as many have suggested. But he was adamant that Rush complete his college education.

As Rush has explained many times, he knew what he wanted to do and was too impatient to be deterred by four full years of college. So he jumped at his first opportunity to make it in a major radio market, leaving for Pittsburgh when he was 20 years old. But the obstacles continued.

Rush knew from an early age that he could thrive in radio if allowed to follow his instincts. But time after time his various program directors resisted his unorthodox approach and fierce independence. Rush's admitted insubordination was a product of knowing that if he toed the line his creativity would be stifled and he would never stand apart from the pack.

After a succession of mostly self-imposed firings he finally got a break when he landed at KFBK in Sacramento. Unlike any of his previous employers, this one gave him free reign and allowed him virtual autonomy over his own program. The results were almost immediate and phenomenal.

His ratings skyrocketed and he became a celebrity in the Sacramento area. During his four years there he further refined his skills and the shtick that would catapult him to national fame and 650 radio stations just a few years later.

There are two main points I want to make from all of this. The first is that Rush has had an unyielding determination to excel in broadcasting since we were young children. The second is that he has never permitted any obstacle, no matter how formidable, to defeat him and frustrate his professional aspirations. That will not change now.

When he first told me about his rapidly deteriorating hearing I assumed that it would be a temporary condition. As it continued to degenerate I became more concerned. Then, when he told me a few weeks ago that he was virtually deaf I felt like I'd been kicked in the gut, vicariously and actually. The revelation was especially heartbreaking considering that he had enthusiastically reported to me just two short days before that his new hearing aids had greatly improved his hearing.

Rush has never been one to wear his emotions on his sleeve and it was no different in this case. I asked him if he was scared and he admitted that he was a little, but that he was prepared to deal with whatever the final outcome of this would be. The courage he is showing through this is remarkable.

The outpouring of sympathy and support has been phenomenal. Only one twisted, sadistic e-mailer expressed glee to me over Rush's misfortune.

But it wasn't until our mother's best friend dropped by my house that the profundity of this truly hit home for me. I could tell by the look on her face when she walked in that Mary Kinder was devastated by Rush's news. What was apparent to me even before she admitted it was that she was also carrying the burden of what would be our mom's excruciating pain over this had she not passed away a year and a half ago.

As I thought of mother a part of me was grateful that she wasn't here to suffer through this. She always believed in Rush and unconditionally supported him. On the other hand, if she were still here, she would be the first to tell you that he would overcome this trial too.

This is a very serious blow for anyone, but especially for a broadcast professional. Thankfully, it is not life threatening and there are ways he can compensate. In fact I am confident that Rush will rise to this challenge and soar to new heights in his profession. His passion and sense of humor abound and he's determined to press forward.

My main concern has to do with the quality of his personal life if his situation doesn't improve. His ability to communicate with his wife and friends will be impaired, as will certain simple pleasures such as listening to music. But I have no doubt he'll do fine because of his indomitable spirit and the support and prayers of his family, friends, staff, partners, and not least, his incredible fans.