|
 The group, though noted as part of the church family,
consisted of men often seen out and about in our community helping
with the National Railsplitting Festival, volunteers with the former
Together for Lincoln program, and volunteers involved with Habitat
for Humanity.
The group was being somewhat led by Darius Knauer and John Sutton.
While neither one claimed the position formally, all the others
seemed to point fingers at the two when it came time to talk with
the newspaper.
The Ott's live on Peoria Street in a large two-story home sitting on
a tall foundation. Getting into the home requires climbing stairs,
something that Charlie is no longer able to do. Knauer and Sutton
explained that the height of the back door above ground level meant
that the ramp would have to be built long enough to handle a gradual
slope, and as a result would be built with a 360-degree turn midway
down the incline.
Sutton laughed as he held up a piece of paper. "It
may not look like it, but we do have a plan!"
[to top of second column] |
Charlie, standing at the height of about 6'9" and
with a slender build, has for years been a natural to portray
Abraham Lincoln at area functions. He's been heavily involved in the
Logan County Railsplitting Association since its beginning, served
as president of the Abraham Lincoln Tourism Bureau of Logan County
and has done many other great things in the community.
Marge explained that right now Charlie is having some
circulatory issues. He's currently a resident in a McLean County
Nursing home, doing rehab and learning how to navigate with his
wheelchair.
Marge said that in 2000, Charlie had to have surgery
on one leg to replace a primary vein and restore proper circulation.
Charlie was told then that the transplanted vein would last for
probably about seven years. Marge said it lasted more than twice
that long, but last year, Charlie started having trouble again.
Another surgery was in order.
She said that having the ramp built was a blessing to
her and Charlie. The ramp is going to be necessary for Charlie to be
able to come home. She explained that he's been doing rehab for the
last two weeks, and the goal is to have him home, hopefully by the
end of the month. The ramp will help pave the way for Charlie's
release from the nursing home.
Darius said that the group was happy to pitch in and help out and
that they wanted to also thank Thrivent Financial in Lincoln for
helping with a monetary donation to the project. Donning their "Live
Generously" Thrivent T-shirts the group posed for a photo to
commemorate the day.
[Nila Smith] |
