Jan 22, 2009 9:00 pm US/Eastern
Phila. M.S. Patient Trapped In Her Home
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
For Patty Aron, there is literally no way out.
She has been decimated by Multiple Sclerosis that's left her able to move
only her right arm and head. She has looked out her front window for seven
weeks now hoping that someone will somehow be able to get her wheelchair lift working
again.
"I'm like the prisoner, trapped in my own house,"
said Aron. "I can't get out."
As of December 6, the hoist that lifted the chair suddenly
broke as Patty was returning home, stranding her outside in the freezing cold
for three hours.
Firefighters, called to the scene, were finally able to
rescue her.
Unable to use her special wheel chair, Patty missed
holiday celebrations and doctor's appointments. Her family members and
neighbors would bring her food, while Patty would sit in her home working the
phones trying to find someone who can repair or replace the lift.
"I called all these people and they couldn't help,"
said Aron.
The company who installed the lift 15 years ago is out of business,
and replacement cost is $8,500. Patty says the 50 foot trip from her porch to
the street might just as well be a journey around the world.
"It's an outrage she can't get out of her home, it's an
outrage that there are thousands of people with disabilities, with Multiple Sclerosis
throughout the greater Delaware Valley who also can't get out of their homes,"
said Karen Mariner of the MS Society.
At the MS Society, officials are working hard to help Patty and others, but not enough money is available to immediately help.
For more information about MS or to donate to the National
Multiple Sclerosis Society please call 215-271-1500 or visit
http://www.nationalmssociety.org/pae
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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