FORT MYERS SHORES, Fla. — George Phillips served in the army during the Vietnam War as a medic. A couple of years ago, doctors diagnosed him with Parkinson's Disease. He's a wheelchair user and has trouble speaking. His wife Penny Phillips said he'd fallen more than 200 times since the diagnosis.
"He's got the fear of falling, so he just wouldn't want to leave the house," she said.
She said her son Alan, who's George's caretaker would have to carry him from the front door to the car every time they left the house. So, she posted on Next Door to ask neighbors to help her look for reasonable prices for a ramp.
Michael Thompson, president of Southwest Florida Heroes, which helps veterans and first responders, saw the post and reached out to Stancel Concrete, who installed a concrete ramp at the Phillips' home for free. Phillips said she expected people to help her install a wooden ramp at most.
"I'm just overwhelmed with what has been done for us. All you gotta do is ask for things, and the community just stepped right up!" she said.
Thompson said when he saw the post, he had to do something about it.
"These guys go into buildings that are on fire. They chase criminals down dark alleys. These guys need a little special attention, and that's kind of what we're looking to provide for them," he said. "We're not put on this earth to do everything about me me me. It really is about helping other people."
Mrs. Phillips says after the ramp donation Cape Coral plumbing installed this accessible toilet for free. But she says the narrow entrance to the bathroom and the tub make it difficult for George to access.
"That's where most of his falls happen. In and out of the bathroom," she said.
She said she's also working on getting assistance from the Veteran's Association to make the entire house handicap accessible. In the meantime, Thompson's working to install railing, so George can hold on as he rolls down his new ramp.
