When Safe Transport Makes All the Difference

The hospital discharge should have been a celebration. After days of treatment, James was ready to move to rehabilitation and work toward independence again. Instead, the 65-year-old sat in his wheelchair, facing an impossible choice.

James had adapted heroically to life after a right above-knee amputation. Living alone, he managed his daily activities with resilience, transferring to and from his wheelchair and caring for himself independently. But when sudden dizziness caused him to fall at home, everything changed. Hospitalized and weakened, James could no longer stand or shift in bed without maximum assistance. The care team recommended short-term rehabilitation to help him regain strength and return to his prior level of function.

When discharge day arrived, a serious challenge emerged. James had planned for his son to drive him to the rehab facility to save money, but staff found he was unable to transfer safely into a regular vehicle, even with help. His oxygen levels had also dropped, requiring supplemental oxygen during transport. A specialized medical ride was the only safe option, but his insurance would not cover it, and the out-of-pocket cost of $170 was simply beyond his means.

This is exactly why the Good Samaritan Fund exists. Thanks to the generosity of Foundation donors, James received the medical transport he needed. He arrived safely at the rehab center, ready to begin the hard work of healing. Three weeks later, he successfully completed his rehabilitation and returned home with renewed confidence and strength. Without this assistance, James would have been stuck and unable to safely reach the rehabilitation that was essential for his recovery.

About the Good Samaritan Fund

Since 1959, the Good Samaritan Fund has helped patients at Ascension St. Vincent's overcome the non-medical barriers to healing—like transportation, prescriptions, and medical equipment. Powered entirely by donor generosity, it ensures that no patient falls through the cracks on their journey to recovery.

Will you help he next James? Your gift of $170 could provide safe medical transport for a patient in need. $350 could help two patients. Make a gift today and ensure no one faces an impossible choice between safety and healing.