Vickie Jenkins
Staff Writer

Meet Mr. George Martin, 69, an Army Veteran, a kind and considerate gentleman that believes in second chances in life. He is also an amputee. Martin is an amazing man that has a story to share with others.
Martin had a rough childhood with his parents and ended up going to live with his aunt. His aunt was attending a little, country church. “I remember being about 12 years old and I would go to church with her and then one Sunday, all of a sudden, I felt God calling me. It was a strong feeling that I had never experienced before,” Martin said. “It was as though God knew that I needed to know what love was. So, it was that Sunday that I got baptized in a horse trough. Back then, that is what they used,” he added.
It was the year 1967. Martin was in the Army, fighting the Vietnam War. It was on March 13, 1968 that Martin found himself in a foxhole. He got shot in the leg 3 different times with an AK47. “That is a mean weapon,” Martin said. “A tourniquet was placed on my leg to stop the bleeding but every time my heart beat, I felt the blood gushing out!” He was taken to the hospital where Martin had bled to death and was pronounced dead!
This is when Martin felt a peace come over him. He heard the nurse say, ‘we lost him.’ This is when Martin felt himself floating upward. “It’s true how people say they see a tunnel, full of light. I saw that tunnel and then, I saw Heaven open up! I saw all of God’s Glory!” Martin said. “I saw streets of gold; a pure gold that seemed transparent. It was beautiful! I had an overwhelming feeling of peace, love and joy! It was so magnificent! There was beautiful green grass, not a flaw in it. I heard a choir and orchestra, praising the Lord. I was surrounded by beautiful flowers! The praises were everywhere! I saw water in the distance and it sparkled like diamonds! Beams of glory were all around! I heard God speak to me…I am going to put you to sleep now. I have a purpose for you!”
“The next thing I knew, I was waking up in a body bag. It was dark and I felt a toe tag. With all my might, I tried to move, as much as I could. I heard a voice close by and then, a scream! I was out for 3 days but I was alive! The doctors and nurses were trying to get me stabilized, sending me to a hospital in Japan. I got very ill and spent 8 months in the hospital. Being in Vietnam, we had all been sprayed with Agent Orange. (A herbicide and defoliant chemical, causing many health problems for any individual who were exposed.) It was eating up the inside of my body!”
“That was 50 years ago. The Lord has seen me through so much but I am alive! I continue to give Him praises. I attend a little, country church and I share my testimony in different churches around Oklahoma. I am thankful to God for giving me a second chance and showing me that I still have a purpose here on earth.”
“Yes, I am an amputee; I am living my life for Him. A big thank you to Patriot Prosthetics and Orthotics for everything,” said Martin.
A big thank you to Michael Huggins and Dallas Curtis for taking care of the many Veterans and their prosthetics. The first prosthetic that Martin had was a wooden one, heavy, uncomfortable and bulky. That was in 1968. Now, thanks to Patriot Prosthetics and Orthotics, Martin’s prosthetic is light weight, comfortable and a digitized prosthetic. Martin has been going to Patriot Prosthetics and Orthotics for about 20 years.
“They are such great people over there and I trust them with everything.” Martin said.
It is of the utmost importance of the staff to treat each patient with respect, dignity and fairness. They strive to promote a greater acceptance of each prosthesis or orthosis through a positive spirit and education for each patriot’s individual potential and rehabilitation. They are committed to providing the highest quality of Prosthetic and Orthopedic care with compassion. The staff is dedicated to learning the latest advanced technology to better serve the needs of each patient.
A heart-felt thanks to the many men and women who have or are presently serving our country today. You have given us freedom.

by Vickie Jenkins

I had the privilege of interviewing some wonderful ladies that were celebrating their 45th anniversary of receiving their caps. What an exciting time for these 8 women that reunited at Integris Baptist Medical Center. It was the summer of 1968 when these women were accepted into Baptist Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. They all lived in the dorm on the hospital campus except the ones that were married.
At the time, it was a diploma nursing program and their class was small because Baptist was phasing out the school which was then morphed into the nursing program at Central State College (now, University of Central Oklahoma). In the summer of 1969, the 12 nurses were sent to St. Louis, Missouri State Mental Hospital for their psychiatric training. They graduated on June 5, 1970.
Interviewing the women that gathered for the reunion was a pure delight. The conference room at Baptist Hospital was full of hugs, smiles and laughter as each woman shared memories. “It was Dr. John Donnell, a cardiologist that gave us 12 nurses the nickname of The Dirty Dozen,” one woman said. Since then, The Dirty Dozen have held major reunions every five years, getting together whenever possible. In addition to reunions, they also stay in contact by Facebook, email and texts. A few send cards and letters.
After some fun and fellowship, here are some interesting answers from outstanding women telling us what their life is like now.
Melanie Arnold Hemry, RN-“Why did you become a nurse?” “I felt it was a wonderful career and a great way to serve others. It ended up giving me great features for my writing.” Hemry is now a freelance writer and has written for Guideposts and other magazines. She has written more than 50 books.
Laura Bliss Denwood, RN- Describing herself in three words, she says, “Friendly, empathetic and optimistic.” Denwood traveled from St. Croix, Virgin Islands, where she still lives. She is happy to see all of her friends again plus enjoyed taking a tour of Baptist Medical Center.
Janet Pomplun Jamison, RN, Clinical Research Nurse- “What is your favorite memory from the past while working at Baptist Hospital?” “There was a supportive nursing staff and several mentors. The progressive acute care experiences were great.” Jamison worked in Cancer Research at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, DC before working at the National Institute of Health and the Food and Drug Administration. She resides in. Delaware.
Beverly Botchhlet, RN, MS-“What was your favorite thing about the reunion today?” “Being a member of a group who are totally nonjudgmental and have only love and support for each other.” Bachlet became a nurse in 1970 and is still going strong. Bachlet earned her Master’s Degree and continues to teach nursing.
Connie Blackburn Furrh, RN-“What is your life like now?” “I work with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and work full-time at Oklahoma Spine Hospital.” “Do you stay in contact with the other nurses?” “Absolutely. I consider them my sisters. Time melts away when we come back together again.” Blackburn also helped build the Renaissance Women’s Centers.
Lou Berry, RN-“Describe yourself in three words.” ‘Full of energy!” Berry said her favorite memory of the past is working in the Surgery Center. She spent years teaching nursing.
Lenora Schoenhals Bechwith, RN-“What is your life like now?” “I’m a retired Hospice nurse, mother of two and grandmother of two. I go to Hospice Circle of Love, Enid, OK when needed. Bechwith says she was four years old when she received a nurse kit from her cousin one Christmas morning.
Linda Gossman Hazard, RN- “What is your life like now?” “I am retired and life is good!” Jackson worked at OU Health Science Center in NICU.
Unable to attend the 45 year reunion were Terry Thurston, Norma Aycock Williams, RN, Carol Neal, RN. Evannah Esadoah, RN (deceased)
After catching up on just a glimpse of the past years, the women planned on taking a tour of Integris Baptist Medical Center. A big thank-you to these fine women that have given their time and dedication to helping others provide and coordinate patient care, educate patients and the public about various health conditions, and provide advice and emotional support.
Perhaps, one of the women at the reunion summed up the countless hours of nursing the best. “When did you become a nurse?” I asked. she answered, “1970”. “When did your nursing end?” I asked. “Never!” she replied. I am sure The Dirty Dozen will meet again.

Local In-home Senior Care Company to Bring 50 New Jobs to the Area

Senior Helpers, the nation’s premier provider of in-home senior care, today announced the official opening of its Greater Oklahoma City North location, to be managed and operated by husband and wife team John and Laurie Stansbury together with their partner, Sharon Johnson MSN, RN, CNE, who will serve as president and chief nursing officer. The new franchise will serve senior citizens and their families throughout the Greater Oklahoma City area, which includes Edmond, Deer Creek, Piedmont, Warr Acres, Bethany, Yukon, Mustang, Midwest City, Del City, Moore-Norman, and Guthrie. It hopes to bring more than 50 new jobs to the region over the next year. Senior Helpers’ professionally trained caregivers will help local seniors continue to enjoy the comfort of their own home despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges.
“All three of us have personal experience caring for a family member living with early onset Alzheimer’s, and we understand profoundly how challenging it can be without the proper care,” said Laurie. “Through Senior Helpers, we’re providing a valuable resource by helping to alleviate this stress and ensure a better quality of life for families in our community through personalized in-home senior care.” Sharon adds, “Over the years, Senior Helpers has established itself as the best option for navigating the challenges of in-home senior care today, and we are proud to be a part of this company.”
Founded in 2001, Senior Helpers operates with a vision to be the leading home care company in each community it serves. Its caregivers in Oklahoma City are fully trained and certified to offer the highest level of care possible based on the company’s Senior Gems® Alzheimer’s and Dementia care program. As the gold standard for excellence in personalized in-home senior care, the program was developed in conjunction with nationally recognized dementia care expert Teepa Snow and is endorsed by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and the American Society on Aging. Local residents will also benefit from the company’s new Parkinson’s Care Program, a specialized training and certification program created in conjunction with leading experts from the National Parkinson Foundation’s Center of Excellence.
“We’re pleased to welcome Laurie, John and Sharon to our team as the newest Senior Helpers franchise owners,” said Chris Buitron, vice president of marketing for Senior Helpers. “This amazing triobrings a passion for their community and an acute understanding of in-home senior care to their new roles. This will serve them well and also will be rewarding for seniors and families living in Oklahoma City and the surrounding area.”
Senior Helpers is the nation’s largest premier in-home senior care company in the U.S. with over 270 franchised businesses operating across the country. Founded in 2001 with a vision to help seniors who wish to remain in their homes despite age-related illnesses and mobility challenges, Senior Helpers has now cared for tens of thousands of seniors with a pledge to provide “care and comfort at a moment’s notice.” Senior Helpers offers a wide range of personal care and companion services, including trained Alzheimer’s, dementia and Parkinson’s care, to assist seniors who wish to live independently. Learn more by visiting http://www.seniorhelpers.com.

by Bobby Anderson, Staff Writer

If you get the right fit, then everything else will take care of itself.
It’s the driving motto at Patriot Prosthetics in Yukon where Dallas Curtis and Michael and Michele Huggins have literally given thousands of Oklahomans a new lease on life.
In any given year, Oklahoma ranks either first or second nationally in the number of amputations.
There’s a host of health reasons behind it but what’s left every time is a person facing one of the most emotionally and physically draining experiences of their life.
That’s where Patriot comes in.
The pieces of steel, plastic and carbon fiber Huggins and Curtis create aren’t just works of art but art that truly works.
“They become one with the patient,” said Huggins, whose father had a prosthetic clinic on Oklahoma City’s south side for 16 years. “After awhile it becomes them so you take it and you work with it just like that. This is part of this patient so you carry it and work with that in mind.”
THE RIGHT FIT
Huggins knows that every prosthetic clinic in America orders parts from the same handful of manufacturers.
In that respect, most shops are the same.
But what Huggins and Curtis pride themselves on is taking the extra time to ensure the right fit.
“No matter what we put on underneath that socket it doesn’t matter,” Curtis said. “If the fit’s not good who cares if you have microprocessor-controlled knees or power ankle and feet systems. There’s so much technology out there now in our field it’s ridiculous, but it’s how you apply it.”
Growing up, prosthetics was close to home for Huggins.
He was around 10 when his father lost his leg above the knee following a car accident.
He watched his dad literally learn to walk again and often times regrets having to do so.
He saw the look on his dad’s face most mornings before he had to strap on the 16-pound apparatus that was allegedly his new leg.
After years of fit issues and being told ‘that’s the best we can do’ his father compressed four years of school into two before teaming with the legendary Ray Buddin – a below-the-knee amputee.
THE PROCESS
Patriot offers mobile, on-site, care for many of its patients. Staff can team up with your physician, therapist, or other healthcare provider to coordinate appointments near you or at your home.
Huggins says clients appreciate not having to spend the day driving across Oklahoma City for a single visit while many still enjoy coming to Patriot’s Yukon office.
The steps taken to be fit with a prosthesis or orthotic device vary from patient to patient. Commonly, patients are referred by a physician or therapist early in the healing process for an initial free evaluation to discuss their needs in detail.
Measurements and/or a casting may also occur during this initial visit.
It was while playing football at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Curtis found his way into the world or prosthetics.
While spearheading several community service programs with NSU athletes he literally uncovered his niche.
Spending time with a nursing home resident one day, Curtis saw a man come in, raise the man’s pant leg and uncover a prosthetic limb.
“I didn’t even know he was an amputee. He functioned really well,” Curtis said. “I had no idea until that prosthetist showed up. I was just hanging out, chatting and playing checkers.”
A new major followed for Curtis as did a career as a prosthetist.
“Back then everybody wanted it covered,” Curtis said of the stigma amputees carried. “Everybody wanted to disguise it as much as possible.”
Before opening Patriot, Curtis was the prosthetic supervisor at the Oklahoma City VA Health Care System.
Now he and Huggins have become the go-to clinic for those who have been told “that’s the best we can do.”
Huggins said the rule has and always should be “if it hurts then something’s wrong.”
THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY
“The function of this is unbelievable,” Curtis said, holding a microprocessor prosthetic knee that has bluetooth connectability.
After fitting a client with the technology Curtis can connect wirelessly via his laptop and make a host of adjustments to match the client’s natural gait.
Patients are taught how to reprogram the joint for different activities through their smart phone.
Carbon technology allows energy to be returned to the client through rebound technology on some prosthetics.
But technology isn’t their passion.
“This stuff is not about us. This is about the amputee,” Huggins said. “We play a small part by casting and knowing how to modify and make that socket work throughout the day. The amputee takes it and does the rest.
“I don’t feel like I can take credit for a lot of what they do. That’s up to them.”