Ronald is my dad and he has been the best dad throughout the years. God has truly blessed me.
A co-trustee originally set up a campaign for my dad on a different fundraising platform, but due to their algorithms and the way they have the suggested donation set up it is causing people to not donate. It has completely stalled. I have heard quite a few complaints about the way my dad's campaign donation options appear to the public. We reached out to that platform, but they are unable to make any changes to their current setup. So, I am turning to this site as another option due to it's reputation allowing a caring community to come together. The following was written by one of the trustees for the trust fund.
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Kind Strangers,
We are racing against time to save the life of Ronald Alston, a beloved 83-year-old polio survivor in our community. Many of you only know him as Dude, a nickname that he has had since he was 2 years old. Ronald is facing a catastrophic housing and medical crisis, and we need our community to rally behind him. The curvature of his spine has become so severe causing him to slowly suffocate.
A Lifetime of Resilience
At age 6, Ronald contracted polio and spent a year in an iron lung. Surviving with one of the most extreme spinal curvatures doctors had ever seen, he was not expected to live to age 21. To this day it is one of the most extreme curvatures ever in medical history, if not the most extreme. Defying all odds, he learned watch repair (horology) at a rehab hospital and school in Hot Springs and then opened a shop on Mena's Main Street, and later dedicated over 25 years to Thomas Jewelry. He also worked tirelessly on the family farm with the hay harvest, the broiler houses (chickens), and the small dairy.
With someone riding along to make sure he stays safe, he still drives his tractor on occasion to check on the progress of the grass in anticipation of the next hay harvet. It's time for Ronald to retire and not have to worry about making ends meet, which they rarely do. The last check from the hay harvest was last week and it was $480 which now comes twice a year. His monthly income from social security is $832.
Animals are Ronald’s life. Currently, his constant companions are his dogs, Toby and , and his cat, Scaredy Cat. Sadly, due to recent financial distress, he had to sell his last two cows just to pay basic living expenses.
Right now there are many expenses and a housing crisis, but first we are focusing on securing a dependable used Nissan Frontier crew cab. Ronald does not drive anymore, but relies on someone else to do the driving. This will also give ample room for his ventilation equipment, oxygen tanks, and power bank, and allow a second caregiver if needed. This vehicle will transport him to his local physician and his specialists in Little Rock (2 & 1/2 hours away) and Hot Springs (1 & 1/2 hour away). The current vehicle is older and beyond repair due to engine failure and other mechanical issues. The estimated price for a used Nissan Frontier is $18,000.
Physical therapy is the other urgent expense. He needs specialized physical therapy that is specifically for those with scoliosis and will help him to breathe better. There are only three therapists in the state who provide this therapy. He will need to make several trips to Little Rock for the first few appointments. A local physical therapist will need to be trained in this type of therapy so that they can come to his home instead of Ronald making the long trip to Little Rock three times a week. Funds will also be used for physical therapy equipment for the home that insurance will not pay for. The estimated cost for travel expenses and out of pocket for equipment and therapy visits is $14,000, and possibly up to $5,000 to pay for local therapist training with the main therapist from Little Rock.
A House in Catastrophic Ruins
His family home his parents built in 1948 is a severe hazard and completely unsalvageable. Basically, the underside of the house has experienced flooding from a county road grading project 15 years ago that caused rainwater to go directly into the front yard and underneath the house. Imagine all the issues that flooding can cause to a house, plus floors that need to be replaced that include flooring that was secured with asbestos adhesive.
We are looking at steel building options as that route is more financially feasible and it would be able to provide for a large handicap bathroom that would provide for his needs and allow ample room for caregivers to assist him. Due to his limited lung capacity and pressure on the heart he cannot live in a nursing home or assisted living. Communal living is not an option due to respiratory viruses. Even the common cold can be a death sentence to him. Estimated cost for a steel building and basic interior is $79,800. This will provide a sturdy home free from mold and asbestos. Whole house HEPA filtration will provide clean, particle free air.
A local building contractor is donating their time and labor for the construction of the concrete pad for the building. That is a huge blessing.
Because of his long history in town, many assume Ronald is secure. However, because doctors predicted he would pass away young and his parents not familiar with trusts, no financial protection was arranged for him. While other family members inherited large sums from the family estate, Ronald did not. He has now outlived all of his siblings.
For the past year and a half, Ronald’s daughter has paused her life and has been staying with him providing 24/7 care without an income. However, she battles Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and has put off 3 major and 4 smaller surgeries to keep him alive. She now faces 3+ years of surgeries and recovery where she will be physically unable to assist him.
Ronald is a fiercely proud man who never asks for handouts—he has no idea that this campaign or the protective trust have been created for him. A dedicated team of friends, family members, attorneys, and accountants has come together, and to ensure total transparency. The trust is overseen by two trusted co-trustees and a backup trustee. All funds will be transfer directly to his trust fund account. Once the campaign reaches it's minimum goal of $38,000 we will surprise him. Yes, we will be sure to capture this moment on video and share with everyone.
Your donations will strictly fund a legal trust covering:
Vehicle and vehicle expenses for transport to his doctor's visits.
Physical therapy equipment and therapist appointments.
Any money above our goal will be used for securing a safe home for him.
Additional funds will be used for caregivers who will take over while his daughter is taking care of her own health.
Should any funds remain in the trust upon his peaceful passing, which we hope will be many years from now, the trust dictates that funds be distributed to responsible local animal rescue organizations in his memory.
We refuse to watch a man who survived an iron lung slowly suffocate due to a failing house and lack of medical equipment and support. Please donate and share to give Ronald the safety and dignity that he deserves. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and God bless.
