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(Mail Tribune / Bob Pennell) Trapped in the System Medford disabled man's latest difficulties are symptomatic of a common problem By Damian Mann Mail Tribune Chuck Cheatum has enough to worry about as a quadriplegic confined most of the day to his bed. His electric wheelchair broke recently, though he just got a loaner Friday, and his bed sore is sometimes raw to the bone, causing him endless pain. "I stay in bed mainly," said the 53-year-old who lives in a Medford residential care complex. "Once I'm in bed I sort of feel trapped." Cheatum last month was featured in an article on the difficulties the disabled face after Rogue Valley Transportation District ended a bus route to Rogue Valley Medical Center. As a result, Cheatum had to travel more than a mile by electric wheelchair to get a ride on Valley Lift. After the article, Cheatum said Providence Home Care officials informed him he might not meet eligibility requirements under Medicare rules that govern the homebound, which could mean he could lose a caretaker who comes to treat his bed sore once or twice a week. Advertisement Under Medicare, a person qualifies for specialized care if they are homebound, which severely limits a disabled person from leaving except primarily for medical purposes. Lauren Van Sickle, Providence community relations coordinator, said Providence cannot comment on a third-party situation that involves Medicare or Medicaid. Also, she said, Providence cannot comment on a particular patient because of privacy rules. This is just one of many red tape hurdles Cheatum says he and other disabled people have to clear because they rely so heavily on social service agencies and caregivers. "The government tells me what medicines are allowed and what medicines are not allowed," he said. He said he had a mattress that had a special baffle designed to minimize bed sores. "They sent these guys out to give me a lower-grade one," said Cheatum, who still remains puzzled why it was taken away. "This other mattress was nothing but a camp mattress, and they didn't even make the bed for me." The new mattress made his bed sore flare up and thanks to pleas by his caretaker he finally got a new one. "We had to beg to get a better-quality mattress," he said. While conditions have improved over the years for the disabled, Cheatum said he has learned to live with the endless battles over medications, care and equipment. Still, he said, "I don't want to see other people go through this same kind of situation." Nancie Ozimkowski, executive director of Disabled United in Direct Empowerment (DUDE), said the problems Cheatum is experiencing are shared by disabled people all the time. "When you deal with somebody like Chuck, you're dealing with a very sharp mind," she said. Other disabled people, however, often have to take medications that might affect their mental outlook. "A lot don't know how to fit into the system," she said. Ozimkowski, who is blind, said most people don't realize how difficult it can be for the disabled. For instance, she said a taxi ride back and forth to the Medford library could cost $50 because it costs extra to transport a wheelchair. The disabled need assistance from government workers but from others as well. "You're perfectly dependent on the caretakers who bathe you and take care of you," she said. At the same time, the disabled want to do as much as possible on their own. "As disabled people, we want to be as independent as we can," she said. "We want enough assistance so we can be as independent as we possibly can." Cheatum said it wasn't easy living without his electric wheelchair this last week; he said by comparison it would be like someone losing both their legs and their car at the same time. "It's sort of a helpless feeling when I'm stuck here like this," he said. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary