Ryan Randles' medical-related expenses increase

Editor,

For those who did not read the first article on my son Ryan Randles' injury, I will give a little information on what happened. On Aug. 21, 2006, Ryan was working on a mountain top in Utah for a company that closes oil wells. He went down the mountain on a construction sized forklift, an older model with no enclosed cab and the transmission got stuck between gears, then the motor stalled, Ryan was crushed under the forklift for nearly two hours at the ankles. By the time he was Life-flighted to Salt Lake City they could not save his legs. They were amputated at mid-calf.

I had help from friends and co-workers to put on a benefit for Ryan in September. This money was used to get back and forth from Cedaredge, Colo. to Salt Lake City for motel stays for Ryan's treatments and checkups. The support from our local community was greatly appreciated.

At the last update I gave to the Lake County Leader, Ryan was fighting infections in both stumps. The doctors had Korrina mixing a bleach solution at home to pour onto Ryan's stumps. There actually is a processed solution but Ryan's Workers Compensation insurance would not pay for it, so the pharmacist gave them a recipe to mix it at home. Korrina has basically had to become Ryan's nurse's aide at home. It has taken many weeks to get the infections under control but his prosthetic company has sent him smaller stump shrinkers and he has had one fitting for his left prosthetic. His right stump still has a hole the size of a dime that they have to pour solution into but he will soon be able to have a first fitting on the right stump.

The problem he is having now is that they are out of the benefit money and they have to drive back to Salt Lake and stay for two to four weeks for fittings of the prosthetics and physical therapy on his legs. I have checked on the Internet trying to find them a place to stay because Work Comp is refusing to pay for this. But I have had no luck; Ronald McDonald House only provides places to stay to families of sick children, and when I called they really did not have any suggestions.

I will put cans and jars in local businesses for donations. I know this being Christmas time everyone is worried about providing for their own families, but any help you could give would be appreciated. A Ryan Randles Benefit bank account has been set up at Valley Bank of Ronan for anyone wishing to donate that way. Again thank you very much for the hometown support that my son has received from the whole valley.

Nita Rae DeGolier Randles

Ryan's mom

Moiese

Ed. note: Ryan Randles grew up in Lake County, attended school in Charlo and Ronan High School, where he was a member of the Show Choir and in 4-H activities. After high school he worked for Western Building Center in Ronan and was a member of the Ronan Volunteer Fire Dept. for a year-and-a-half. The company he works for closes old oil wells in a seven state area. He and his fiancee and baby girl moved to Cedaredge in May of this year.