Red Cross Donor Undeterred By Disability
Carolinas
March 2, 2010
For Immediate Release
Scott Scheer, Communications Specialist
Carolinas Blood Services Region
704-347-8374 | scheerds@usa.redcross.org
Greensboro, NC - Ed Terrell is one of the hundreds of blood donors who donate at the Nussbaum Donor Center of the American Red Cross in Greensboro. While there are many similarities about Terrell and any of the other donors, his story is a study in determination, commitment, perseverance and compassion to help others.
Since a near fatal automobile accident 32 years ago, Terrell, 59, has been confined to a wheelchair. Without use of his entire right-side, he depends on others for most everything, is unable to drive and has difficulty speaking.
After being discharged from the hospital, Terrell moved back home to live with his parents. With years of physical therapy and rehab behind him, Terrell did become more mobile and independent, but he still relied heavily on his mother and father to feed, bath and look after him, around the clock.
Seemingly, for some twenty-plus years, Terrell was living as good and as fulfilling a life one could with the severity of his injuries and the permanent damage those injuries had caused. Unfortunately, circumstances would once again jolt Ed Terrell and his world.
Ten years ago, while watching television in his parents home, he saw a news report and film footage of an automobile accident that claimed two lives. Those two people were Terrell’s mother and father, his sole care-takers. Alone, Terrell became dependent on agencies, care-givers and nurses to assist him with everyday needs and his overall well-being.
Not long after he lost his parents, another tragedy struck-this one affecting an entire nation. The 9/11 attacks hit Terrell hard. Like the rest of the country and much of the world, Terrell watched as thousands perished and a country struggled and suffered.
For Ed Terrell, the tragedy of 9/11 hit home. He could relate to the punch taken and the need to counter-punch. Down? Yes! Out? Never!
Almost a month to the day after 9/11, Terrell asked someone to drive him to the Red Cross, and for the first time, he donated a pint of blood. Despite his difficulty in even maneuvering his electric wheelchair and with his head typically slumped downward and hard to the right from his paralysis, Terrell has made the American Red Cross one of the true passions in his life.
On a recent afternoon, Terrell was driven to the donor center by one of his closest friends, Karen Lakey. Often his means of transportation, Lakey has seen so much in Terrell since they first met in 2002. While waiting inside the donor center’s canteen for Terrell to complete what was his 53rd blood donation since 9/11, Lakey described the love in Terrell’s heart, the intelligence and wit of his mind and the contagious passion he possesses to help others.
Lakey called Terrell, “an unbelievable human being.” She added, “It would be so easy for someone in Ed’s plight to just close the curtains and hide behind the door. You know, to just give up.” She continued, “Instead, he smiles, jokes and laughs and every eight weeks, he finds a way to get to the American Red Cross to make his donation.”
Although normally hard to understand because of his speech impediment, the words are clear and the sentiment behind them heart-warming, when Terrell responded matter-of-factly when asked with all the tragedies he has faced, and the amount of time and effort it takes to get to and from the Red Cross, why he would want to go to all that trouble to donate blood? It is easy enough to understand the three short words he is able to force out. Terrell said bluntly, “People need it!"
Laurin Hoch, blood center coordinator at the Nussbaum Donor Center said in the one year she has worked at the center, she can not recall anyone coming to the center who has anything remotely near the traumatic injuries Ed Terrell has suffered. Hoch said, “Ed has such a great attitude.” Hoch continued, “It is always great to see Ed come in and to know all he must go through to get here, not only one time, but to go through all the pain, sweat and tears to get here every eight weeks speaks volumes about this man’s character and his desire to help others.”
Karen Lakey agreed, adding, “For someone in Ed’s condition to be so consumed with a deep desire to give the gift of life, it is just so amazing and inspiring.” Lakey said Terrell does not expect accolades for what he does to help others. She remarked, “I once asked him if he ever wished for anything to be different in his life or wish for anything at all and he told me, ‘the only thing I ever asked for in life was a friend.”
Ed Terrell, who will turn 60 in May, has many friends in his life, including those at the American Red Cross and at his church, Cathedral of His Glory. To the more than 150 lives he has possibly saved with the fifty-three blood donations he has made, there is no doubt, he has made and saved many more friends, for life.
Scott Scheer, Communications Specialist
Carolinas Blood Services Region
704-347-8374 | scheerds@usa.redcross.org
Greensboro, NC - Ed Terrell is one of the hundreds of blood donors who donate at the Nussbaum Donor Center of the American Red Cross in Greensboro. While there are many similarities about Terrell and any of the other donors, his story is a study in determination, commitment, perseverance and compassion to help others.
Since a near fatal automobile accident 32 years ago, Terrell, 59, has been confined to a wheelchair. Without use of his entire right-side, he depends on others for most everything, is unable to drive and has difficulty speaking.
After being discharged from the hospital, Terrell moved back home to live with his parents. With years of physical therapy and rehab behind him, Terrell did become more mobile and independent, but he still relied heavily on his mother and father to feed, bath and look after him, around the clock.
Seemingly, for some twenty-plus years, Terrell was living as good and as fulfilling a life one could with the severity of his injuries and the permanent damage those injuries had caused. Unfortunately, circumstances would once again jolt Ed Terrell and his world.
Ten years ago, while watching television in his parents home, he saw a news report and film footage of an automobile accident that claimed two lives. Those two people were Terrell’s mother and father, his sole care-takers. Alone, Terrell became dependent on agencies, care-givers and nurses to assist him with everyday needs and his overall well-being.
Not long after he lost his parents, another tragedy struck-this one affecting an entire nation. The 9/11 attacks hit Terrell hard. Like the rest of the country and much of the world, Terrell watched as thousands perished and a country struggled and suffered.
For Ed Terrell, the tragedy of 9/11 hit home. He could relate to the punch taken and the need to counter-punch. Down? Yes! Out? Never!
Almost a month to the day after 9/11, Terrell asked someone to drive him to the Red Cross, and for the first time, he donated a pint of blood. Despite his difficulty in even maneuvering his electric wheelchair and with his head typically slumped downward and hard to the right from his paralysis, Terrell has made the American Red Cross one of the true passions in his life.
On a recent afternoon, Terrell was driven to the donor center by one of his closest friends, Karen Lakey. Often his means of transportation, Lakey has seen so much in Terrell since they first met in 2002. While waiting inside the donor center’s canteen for Terrell to complete what was his 53rd blood donation since 9/11, Lakey described the love in Terrell’s heart, the intelligence and wit of his mind and the contagious passion he possesses to help others.Lakey called Terrell, “an unbelievable human being.” She added, “It would be so easy for someone in Ed’s plight to just close the curtains and hide behind the door. You know, to just give up.” She continued, “Instead, he smiles, jokes and laughs and every eight weeks, he finds a way to get to the American Red Cross to make his donation.”
Although normally hard to understand because of his speech impediment, the words are clear and the sentiment behind them heart-warming, when Terrell responded matter-of-factly when asked with all the tragedies he has faced, and the amount of time and effort it takes to get to and from the Red Cross, why he would want to go to all that trouble to donate blood? It is easy enough to understand the three short words he is able to force out. Terrell said bluntly, “People need it!"
Laurin Hoch, blood center coordinator at the Nussbaum Donor Center said in the one year she has worked at the center, she can not recall anyone coming to the center who has anything remotely near the traumatic injuries Ed Terrell has suffered. Hoch said, “Ed has such a great attitude.” Hoch continued, “It is always great to see Ed come in and to know all he must go through to get here, not only one time, but to go through all the pain, sweat and tears to get here every eight weeks speaks volumes about this man’s character and his desire to help others.”
Karen Lakey agreed, adding, “For someone in Ed’s condition to be so consumed with a deep desire to give the gift of life, it is just so amazing and inspiring.” Lakey said Terrell does not expect accolades for what he does to help others. She remarked, “I once asked him if he ever wished for anything to be different in his life or wish for anything at all and he told me, ‘the only thing I ever asked for in life was a friend.”
Ed Terrell, who will turn 60 in May, has many friends in his life, including those at the American Red Cross and at his church, Cathedral of His Glory. To the more than 150 lives he has possibly saved with the fifty-three blood donations he has made, there is no doubt, he has made and saved many more friends, for life.
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