Act of Service
It was a call to action. After Trey Stelma, a blind rehabilitation out-patient specialist, visited the home of Neal Woods, he knew something had to be done. The front porch of Woods’ home was rotted through and posed potential danger for Neal who is a blind Vietnam veteran. Stelma called together a troop of volunteers from Life Church and the Veterans Association and got to work. Robby Bush, a retired Jackson District Fire Chief spearheaded the project and through donations from The Mississippi Regional Group of the Blinded Veterans Association, Sam’s Club in Pearl and Home Depot in Brandon, the group had the resources to serve a veteran who once selflessly served our country.
The hot day was full of fellowship and hard work, but there was a bit of a delay when Miss Annie, Neal’s wife, served a home-cooked southern meal for the volunteers. Full and thankful, the day moved along. The men measured, cut and hammered, while some of the women on hand made pedestals from the old columns on the house that were taken out during the rebuild. Miss Annie and her 91-year-old mother, Miss Etta watched on with gratitude and Neal stood firmly on his new porch with a new sense of independence.
For Maury Lunn, the day represents what the Mississippi Regional Group of the Blinded Veterans Association is all about. “We are working to bring social connection and interaction of our blind Veterans. The tendency of most blinded people is to isolate themselves from the outside world. More often than not, this results in severe depression and withdrawal. We seek to get them productive and involved by encouraging them to attend Blind Rehabilitation classes and become more independent, thus improving their quality of life. By giving them a social network in which they can connect to other blind vets. The blind Veterans can relate with their own challenges and experiences. This helps to form a healing atmosphere and a type of mentorship process.”
With a simple act of service, Neal Woods can now enjoy feeling the summer breeze on his front porch and know that he is not alone.
If you would like information or to get involved, contact the Mississippi Regional Group of the Blinded Veterans Association (601) 362-4471 ext. 5650 or call Maury Lunn (601)906-9104 and email: maury.lunn@va.gov or lunns@comcast.net
