As gas prices go through the sky, the Jewish desire to help those in need soars along heavenward.
Ezer Mizion’s Ambulance Division is constantly flooded with requests by the disabled for vital transportation for doctor’s visits and to treatment centers. Dialysis treatment three times a week is essential for many patients. Yet, for those that are wheelchair bound, and there are many, getting to the treatment center is impossible. An oxygen dependant patient must be seen regularly by his physician but traveling by public transportation is unfeasible. A frail octogenarian in poor health wishes to meet with his doctor. How can he get there?
For a person confined to a wheelchair or a bed, transportation involves serious challenges. Every trip involves innumerable logistical hurdles that can seem impossible to overcome. Ezer Mizion’s fleet of ambulances is equipped to service the disabled, the bedridden and the oxygen dependant. In addition, many volunteers use their own vehicles to transport patients in a safe and courteous manner. The professionalism of the staff and volunteers is only matched by their unbelievable compassion. Take the following scenario:
Husband is being returned home after a hospital stay.
“You look sad,” commented the driver.
“It’s because my wife is not at home. She was also taken to the hospital.”
“Would you like to visit her?”
“Sure. But how would I get home afterwards?”
No problem. I’ll give you my cell phone number. You call me when you’re ready.”
“You still look sad.”
“Well….”
“C’mon. Tell me. I’ll try to help.”
“It’s too much to ask.”
“Try me.”
“Well, there’s something I would like to bring her but it’s in my house.”
“That’s easy. We’ll go to your house. I’ll help you. Then we’ll go back to the hospital and you’ll call me when you’re ready to go back home again.”
And so gas prices rose and rose and patients worried. “Will Ezer Mizion continue to provide my transportation? How can I get along without it?” But Ezer Mizion was determined, as were its volunteers. Volunteers used their own vehicles when feasible, paying for gas out of their own pocket. And ambulances continued their usual runs, never hesitating as prices continued to climb. How? Ezer Mizion pulled through the gas crunch due to the unstinting support of its caring contributors. Economic decline…fiscal uncertainty…but for our generous supporters, tzedakah was top priority and nearly 63,000 transports took place in 2008, the year of economic slump.
For further information call 718 853 8400.
