The physical pain of each step was compounded by the emotional hurt he suffered as he became increasingly isolated from friends and family. Feeling depressed due to his financial situation, he withdrew from his sisters, assuming they had lost respect for him.
“No money, no dignity, no respect, loss of family… I had no hope,” Wright said. “But if I was able to get my hip fixed, I could be a man again. I would have self esteem again. Maybe I could lift my leg into my van, or be able to tie my shoe.”
Just when he felt like he was out of options, Steven found Church Health Services of Trinity Methodist Church in Beaver Dam, Wis. In collaboration with Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, they provided Steven with the new hip he needed to begin turning his life around.
“They believed I wasn’t worthless,” Wright said. “They looked over all my problems and started to work. I know that asking to have my hip replaced was a tall request, but maybe now I won’t be in pain all the time.”
To begin the process, Church Health Services coordinated the removal of an abscessed tooth with the help of a local dentist. Then on July 25, 2011, Beaver Dam Community Hospitals’ Dr. Bob Coe provided advanced joint replacement care for Steven’s right hip.
For Steven, the experience has restored his faith in God, and in the generosity of others.
“Everyone told me that God loves me. But how, when nobody else cared,” Steven said. “The rest of the world turned its back on me because of my social position. But BDCH and Church Health Services helped. And now, maybe I walk closer to God.”
Through its Community Care Program, Beaver Dam Community Hospitals, Inc. provided $1,555,659 in free care to patients over the last fiscal year.
Church Health Services, Inc. was created in 1993 to meet the increasing health care needs for the less fortunate. BDCH provides diagnostic testing, surgical services, inpatient care and infusion therapy to Church Health Services patients. The BDCH Foundation has also provided materials and donations of time and equipment to support this much-needed service.