You can help make these Irish eyes smile again
John
Beades, like many immigrants,
came to the United States three years ago from County Roscommon, Ireland,
seeking the American dream. That dream was temporarily cut
short in October 1995 when the 6-foot-4-inch construction worker from
Woodlawn, the Bronx, now 29, was stricken with cancer of the right knee
and his leg was amputated. Although Medicaid paid for his
operation and chemotherapy, it could not cover the cost of a prosthesis,
because Beades is not a citizen. And because he cannot afford private
medical insurance, he contacted the American Amputee Foundation and
its “Give A Limb” program. The program, which brings
together manufacturers and practitioners who donate or discount their
products and expertise, contacted Ted
Drygas’ Care Crafters,
Inc. of Nanuet. It’s not the first time Drygas
has donated his services. Previously, he fashioned prostheses for a
young female teacher from Honduras who was born without a hand, and
a man from Senegal who lost a foot to diabetes. And last summer, Drygas
volunteered to work as one of the venue directors for the Paralympics
in Atlanta. “The equipment manufacturers came through
nicely in John’s case,” Drygas said. “With our discounts
and those of the component manufacturers, we put a large dent in John’s
total expenses, which exceeded $28,000. ”But even with
the discounts and donated services, Drygas said, Beades is unable to
pay off the $22,000 remaining for his prosthesis. Drygas,
who continues to treat Beades during his rehabilitation and is preparing
a permanent prosthesis for him, decided to appeal to the community.
As a member of the Nanuet Civic Association, Drygas turned to his neighbor,
Paul Rappaport, the association’s
vice-president. “I think it’s wonderful that through
Ted’s philanthropy,” he said, “organizations are coordinating
to help John and the community is getting involved in an effort to raise
funds on John’s behalf.” John Finucane of Stony
Point, national president of the American Irish Political Education
Committee, said the Irish in the tni-state area are known for supporting
their own “sons and daughters of Erin.” And Rockland
County is no exception. Finucane said a quarter of Rockland’s population—more
than 65,000 people—trace their heritage to Ireland.
“
Every weekend in some part of
New York City,” he said, “Irish communities come together
to raise funds for needy individuals,. whether Irish born or Irish American.”
Finucane, who hopes the same effort will be made for Beades, also had
praise for Drygas. “It’s great what Ted is doing,” he
said. “He’s a wonderful person.” Drygas said
he finds his greatest satisfaction in “helping people out and getting
them back to life and work.”As for Beades, he said his
latest dream is to return to Ireland for Christmas and greet his sister
and his parents by walking off the airplane on his new prosthesis.
Fund-raising efforts for Beades are being funneled through ASPIRE, a
10-year-old nonprofit organization that educates and rehabilitates amputees,
runs self-help support groups, and trains amputee athletes. Monies raised
help cover the cost of prostheses and rehabilitation for individuals
who are unable to afford them. For further information, call ASPIRE
president Paddy Rossbach, R.N., at (516)627-3496.
To make tax-deductible donations on behalf of John Beades, checks
should be made out to ASPIRE and mailed to ASPIRE, c/oJohn Beades, 50 Maple Place,
Manhasset, N.Y. 11030.
For further information about the American Amputee Foundation
and its “Give A Limb” program, call Ted Drygas at 426-6900.
Nancy Cacioppo can be reached at 578-2439
