This is a good heart-warming story of how one loss can help bring back life to another, so to speak.
San Carlos Park man offers late wife's artificial leg to Army
Sam Cook • scook@news-press.com • December 2, 2009Comments (0) Recommend Print this page E-mail this article Share
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Buzz up!Twitter 1:10 A.M. — When retired Michigan policeman D'Arcy Young read about U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Araujo losing his leg, he didn't hesitate.Young, who lives in San Carlos Park, called me and offered to give Araujo, 19, his late wife's artificial leg.
Southwest Floridians are known for helping folks in need, yet how can you top that?
The gift was an ultimate gesture of a man grieving the loss of Henrietta, 74, his wife of 29 years. Young says she died Oct. 30 of a cerebral hemorrhage.
"If that young man needs a leg, this is a possibility,'' says Young, 82. "Henrietta would want him to have it.''
He says his wife had diabetes and a vein problem, yet didn't use the prosthesis much because of infections in her right leg.
Cape Coral resident Araujo is recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., after a Humvee in which he was riding on Oct. 16 was struck by a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Tyler Araujo, the soldier's father, was overwhelmed by Young's generosity.
"That is great,'' he says. "The Army is taking care of Michael's prosthesis, but there is a need for artificial legs up here. He should find a way to send it to Walter Reed.''
Young, who bought the Otto Bock Compact Microprocessor Knee System from Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics in Fort Myers for around $30,000, says he will gladly donate it to the hospital.
"It has a knee joint and can be adjusted to either leg,'' he says about the Austrian-made prosthetic he purchased in 2007. "Rather than see it sit here and go to waste, I'd rather see the Army have it.''
The original story
http://www.news-press.com/article/200911260110/COLUMNISTS02/91119083
Wounded Cape Coral soldier thanks Southwest Florida residents for support
By Sam Cook • scook@news-press.com • November 26, 2009Comments (2) Recommend (1) Print this page E-mail this article Share
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11:40 A.M. — U.S. Army PFC Michael Araujo is thankful to be alive this Thanksgiving.The 19-year-old Mariner High graduate and Cape Coral resident also appreciates the prayers and monetary donations he and his family received from folks in Southwest Florida.
“Please thank everyone for their help during our time of hardship,’’ said Michael Araujo from his bed Wednesday at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “We are grateful for their support.’’
Military Policeman Araujo (pronounced A-roosh) lost his left leg when the Humvee in which he was riding was struck by a roadside bomb the Taliban detonated Oct. 16 in Kandahar, Afghanistan.
Surgeons at Walter Reed removed Araujo’s left leg above the knee in an eight-hour operation Friday, according to Tyler Araujo, Michael’s father. Surgeons completed work Monday with a second procedure.
“They shortened the leg a little bit more,’’ Tyler Araujo said. “They reinforced the upper thigh with screws and pins. They will let it heal and fit a prosthesis with a knee joint in six weeks.’’
Michael Araujo says he is eager to begin his rehabilitation.
“God bless everybody,’’ he said. “Tell them to have a happy Thanksgiving.’’
TO HELP: If you wish to help the Araujo families offset expenses while staying in D.C., mail a check to Wayne Hamlin, Michael’s uncle and godfather, at 1724 NW 15th Terrace in Cape Coral, 33993. Hamlin’s telephone number is 239-218-9019. You may also donate money at any Fifth Third Bank nationwide. An account has been established by Patricia Hamlin, Michael’s aunt and godmother.
Originally published Nov. 19, 2009
There are people who need our help.Then, there are people who deserve our help.
U.S. Army Pfc. Michael Araujo fits both categories.
The 19-year-old Mariner High School graduate was strengthening his upper left leg muscles Tuesday at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.
The exercise wasn’t part of his normal rehab.
