November 2000

Small Steps are Big Strides Toward His Dream to Walk

With a wry grin, LeRoy Reed leans back in his wheelchair and talks about the old days. He pauses to remember specifics, but the rugged lines etched across his face tell the detailed story of a callused life. A life that has confined him to a wheel chair for the better part of the past 30 years…a life that has attempted to take away the dignity of a good man.

Two Steps Back

In his early thirties Reed was involved in an accident with a car as he was riding his bike, damaging his knee and leg. Eventually, after recurrent knee injuries, his left leg became stiff and immobile, preventing Reed from walking.

"Being able to walk for so much of my life and then loosing that mobility has been the hardest part," says Reed. "I just haven’t been able to do the things that I used to do."

Things like getting from one place to another, living without assistance and most importantly for Reed, being able to work. Catholic Charities, a United Way-funded agency is working to help Reed do all those things again through their Adult Day Services.

According to Tim Cunningham, MA, director of Catholic Charities Adult Day Services, life in a nursing home seemed inevitable for Reed. In fact, because of his disability there was an effort at one point to place him in a home, but Adult Day Services worked successfully to eradicate those efforts.

"I don’t belong in a nursing home," Reed interjected.

Giant Leap Forward

Through a restorative therapist provided by Catholic Charities, Reed is beginning to realize his dream to walk on his own. "When LeRoy first came to us I didn’t think he would ever be able to walk again," says Cunningham. "Now I watch him walk by my office with the therapist…it’s amazing how far he’s come."

Reed attends Adult Day Services five days a week, receiving transportation to and from the center free of charge. Besides restorative therapy, Reed is also involved with computer training and many social activities that are offered.

Adult Day Services gives individuals an opportunity to spend time out in the community, through activities such as eating out with others or going to the mall. For some, this might be the only opportunity they have for any type of social activity.

"Our goal is to give people the ability to function in the community with as few resources as possible," says Cunningham. "Independence is the key, and LeRoy is increasingly being able to maintain a constant level of independence."

Walking into a Brighter Future

Today, at age 70, Reed wants nothing to do with retirement—he wants to work again. "I never had much chance for a life, like some did," says Reed. "As soon as I can walk by myself, I want to get back to what I was trained to do…a janitor job."

Call United Way of the Plains at 267-1321 to find out more about how your money is helping our community.