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Nov 11, 2008 11:34 am US/Central
Disabled Veteran Finds Freedom In Accessible Home
Ramp Up Helps Hank Bielak Get Around His House
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Ramp Up has made getting around the house much easier for disabled Korean War veteran Hank Bielak.
CBS
On this Veterans Day CBS 2 Disabilities Reporter Jim Mullen has the story of a Korean War veteran who found his own freedom, years after the battle was over.
Decades after his tour of duty ended, Hank Bielak became a prisoner in his own home.
"I had no way of getting around," Bielak said. "I used to be able to get out of the house, down the stairs."
When diabetes took over Bielak's body, he lost more than his leg. He lost much of his independence.
"It got to the point where I couldn't go down the stairs anymore," Bielak said. "I had to be carried."
The home Bielak shares with his wife Dorothy was becoming an obstacle to full life.
But then, a friend told Bielak about Ramp Up, an organization that helps people with disabilities make their homes easier to live in.
A great number of the people Ramp Up serves are veterans, just like Bielak.
"We work to coordinate funds from various private and governmental agencies," said Ken Burr of Ramp Up. "We use grant money to hire contractors; to make homes more accessible."
Ramp Up installed a wheelchair outside Bielak's house. The stairs are no longer a problem.
"With this wheelchair lift, he can go out of his house, just like the rest of us who take it for granted," Burr said.
Bielak was more than pleased with the result.
"It was a fantastic feeling that I could do that," he said.
Because of the generosity of Ramp Up, many veterans can find their freedom in their own homes.
"Our veterans have served us so proudly and sacrificed so much for us and for our country," Burr said. "We feel a very personal obligation and opportunity to return just a little bit."
Bielak is appreciative of the spirit.
"We need more organizations like Ramp Up," he said. "It changes your life."
Ramp Up is affiliated with United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Chicago.
To learn more about the organization, click here.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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