Paraplegic Vet Gets Mobility Back
New Ramp Lets Man Get To Sidewalk
Posted: 04/26/2010
Last Updated:
1121 days ago
A Vietnam veteran who lost the wheelchair elevator that allowed him to get to the sidewalk because the project did not meet city codes now has his mobility back.Gerald Anderson, 63, a paraplegic, was ready to get moving again and be able to exit his home, but thought he had been getting the runaround on the reinstallation of a ramp, 6News' Rafael Sanchez reported.The U.S. Veterans Administration had paid for the installation of a ramp and wheelchair elevator at his home, but the agency's contractor did not pull the right permit, so the elevator had to be removed and ramp relocated.Last week, Home Health Depot sent out a crew to Anderson's home in the 4000 block of North Carrollton Avenue to work on a resolution. A concrete path was carved out so that he can leave home again."Being able to get out and go without having help, that's free," Anderson said. "Not having a crutch to lean on, that's free.""I see a joy and peace that I did not see over the last few months. He has joy, and I think that's great," said Pat Anderson, Gerald's wife.Home Health Depot was cooperative from the moment the company received an e-mail from Sanchez, as was the property owner, who allowed the land to be reconfigured.The project was completed on Friday.City officials urge residents who intend to build or install a wheelchair ramp to check to see if permits are required. That information can be found by calling 317-327-8700 and selecting option 1.
