East Arkansas Family Health comes through for man with need
East Arkansas Family Health comes through for man with need
Center arranges for amputee to receive wheelchair ramp
news@theeveningtimes.com
Albert Dear expressed thanks for a brand new cement ramp at his West Memphis Home. Dear said he was in dire need after having his right leg amputated in December. His doctor came to the rescue and took care of all the arrangements to make the house wheel chair accessible.
He wanted everyone to know he was grateful for Dr. Susan Ward-Jones, of East Arkansas Family Health Center.
“My Doctor made the whole thing happen,” said Dear. “She is a wonderful doctor.”
Dear told the story about the string of medical problems that ultimately lead to losing one leg below the knee. Ward-Jones referred him to a specialist, but stayed on top of the case and helped him all the way through.
“It started with poor circulation in my foot and that went on for a month,” said Dear. “I do have sugar (diabetes). Then my toe got sore with an ingrown toenail. I went to the foot doctor and he took my big toe nail to get some relief. But with bad circulation it never did heal. It got worse and the only thing left was to amputate my leg.”
The ramp enables him to live life at home with his family. A home health care nurse paid a weekly visit Tuesday morning during the interview. Without the ramp Dear would have to convalesce somewhere else.
“Without the ramp I couldn’t get up into the house,” said Dear. “My wife can’t get me out without it.”
Gloria Gilliam, spokeswoman for EAFHC, confirmed the gift and said the wheel chair access into Mr. Dear’s house was kept a surprise.
“He didn’t know about it when he got out of the hospital,” said Gilliam. “He went for the hospital to rehab. So when he got home we had the ramp
there for him.”
By John Rech
