Kauneonga Lake

To the editor:

My name is Diane Monanhan, and I am a taxpayer and resident of Sullivan County, and I am writing to address a concern I have with our town and county’s medical and transportation services, specifically for the disabled.

My husband is a disabled Vietnam veteran who requires medical services which require the services of an ambulance to get to and from his appointments and treatments. He cannot stand or walk. The use of a stretcher is essential.

Although he has access to an ambulette, it must be booked in advance, and only accommodates a wheelchair, not a stretcher. When using the volunteer ambulance, that too must be booked in advance, and there is no guarantee a staff member will be available. As a result, many times, my husband has missed appointments and procedures because the ambulance did not come, or arrived too late. There have also been times where they were able to get him to his procedure, but unable to get him home. He had to stay at the hospital overnight in the emergency room.

Although the VA has been great about supplying whatever he needs medically, the ambulance situation is not completely under their control. I am asking for more attention to be given to the ambulatory and transportation services for veterans. My husband’s life depends on it.

There are other disabled persons in need of similar services and as a community, let’s make sure that anyone who needs this type of help is able to get it in a timely and reliable manner.