AYETTEVILLE, NC (May 13, 2015) An 81-year-old North Carolina man returned home Tuesday after spending months in the hospital for cancer treatments and rehab. He was hungry so he opened his refrigerator. And thats when he realized he had no food.
According to WTVD , he was desperate and hungry and he had no way of getting to the store. So he called 911. Blackmon said that he told the 911 operator, I cant do anything, I cant go anywhere, I cant get out of my damn chair.
WTVD reports that Operator Marilyn Hinson took his call and told him they would take him some groceries. Hinson told WTVD, He was hungry. Ive been hungry. A lot of people cant say that, but I can, and I cant stand for anyone to be hungry.
All Blackmon wanted was a head of cabbage, some cans of beans and beets, some popcorn, tomato juice and soft drinks.
Hinson went to the grocery store, bought the groceries, and delivered them to Blackmon with the help of Fayetteville police officers.
Blackmon told WTV is was a blessinghttp://fox59.com/2015/05/13/elderly-cancer-patient-calls-911-because-hes-hungry-and-doesnt-have-any-food/
It was like a little miracle ringing in my ear, Blackmon said. I thought, Jesus, you answered those prayers!'
WTVD reports that Blackmon will soon have a home nurse who will check on him twice a week.
Hinson went to the grocery store, bought the groceries, and delivered them to Blackmon with the help of Fayetteville police officers.
Hinson knew what it was like to be hungry...''walk a mile in my moccasins'' holds true.
Kudos to Ms. Hinson.
Obviously this man had no family, friends or neighbors he felt he could call. That's what is sad, but I'm glad his needs were taken care of and agree, "Why would he be released without someone to greet him and take him home"? Stranger things have happened, I guess.
Horribly sad this man doesn't have any family, or friends evidently that were aware andhelping himthrough this challenging part of life. I mean he's dying of cancer,completedrehab, released and goes home to no food. I'm thankful he had the where with all to call 911.
Kudos to the 911 operator and the officers who assisted in aiding Mr. Blackmon. Heard he'll have a home health nurse come in twice a week...not nearly enough, but at least he'll not be left alone to starve.
This happens all the time, we just don't usually hear about it. We have elderly people all over that are not making it, have little or no help, and constantly on the verge of going under. And then, many of them do go under.
Local news report on the story...has an interview with him.
It's too bad he's not living in senior housing...some of my residents get annoyed by all the help they are offered here! Not just from staff either...the neighbors take good care of each other!
I hope she can bring him some food!
Kudos to Ms. Hinson. Absolutely!!
At age 81and the hospital more than likely knowing that he had nobody at home to care for him, should have sent a Home Care Nurse or SOMEBODY to follow up with him.
Very very sad indeed. I'm glad he had the sense to call 911, and they responded to his needs.
Heard he'll have a home health nurse come in twice a week...not nearly enough, but at least he'll not be left alone to starve. I agree, he needs a Home Health Care Nurse more often that 2 times a week.
Like others here I wonder why there is no mention of friends and family. If he has a family they are horribly neglectful of him. Same with friends. It's nice that he's not going to starve and will be visited twice a week. However that's not enough. What about the rest of his time? Loneliness will drive a person, especially an elderly person, to madness.
Yes, it is sad that he was in this predicament.....but it's also a good thing that he did get help.
I hope she can bring him some food! So do I...nobody should ever go hungry.
IMO This doesn't say a lot aboutthis man'smedical care system.
TRAGIC!!
Uppy.....Thank you for the interview. It's heartwarming that the dispatcher and p olive officer delivered some food to this man. I'm glad to hear that the residents take care of one another, that's what people are supposed to do!
Don't people care anymore??
I spent a lot of my life in a town of 600 people in Michigan called Hopkins. When someone needed help they did even have to ask. Like the time a friend of mine barn roof fell in because of heavy snow, trapping a lot of his cows. When someone came into the bar and said what happened the bar was empty and closed immediately. No one asked, but those trapped cows were Lynn's income. His life. There must have been nearly 100 men and women who were there and all you could hear was the roar of chain saws. Some people brought in large lights, because it was a cold snowy night and we were still working at dawn. After we got most of the cows out (a few died) and other farmers were offering the use of their barns for as many of the cows as they could fit in. No one had to ask about helping him. There was jar in every place of business in town to help raise the money for the insurance delectable. We raised thousands to help keep him afloat when he had no income, but still had bills. It took a few months, but he ended up with a nice modern metal barn and he was back in business. Obviously when he was doing good again in the spring he threw a BBQ as a way to say how grateful he was.
Obviously this man does not live in small town where everyone looks out for everyone else when they are in trouble.
MM...What an uplifting story...thank you for sharing it . I's just a shame that not everyone is willing to help their fellow-man. Bravo to all of you that worked so hard to help this man and his cows. That's called humanity...
Hi Nona, hope you don't mind, found an update for your seed. Amazing what people can and will do when they become aware of the need.
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Now Mr. Blackmon wants the excess to be donated to the Salvation Army to help others! I love this guy!
Good find Lynne. I just watched the video, the private facility released him, without notifying anyone. Damn people, THINK.
You gotta love this guy. Excess to be donated to the Salvation Army.
Lynne....I don't mind at all.!! Thank you for taking the time and effort to get the link. What an wonderful, kind hearted, and thoughtful man.
Kav...Like I said, at his age, one would thin that they would ask him if there was anyone that would be available to care for him. After my surgery,(asa routine procedure, they wanted to make sure I had someone to take care of me when I got home, and I'm nowhere near this man's age)SHAME on this facility!! This is ne incredible man!!
I love old people. Heck..... I'm getting to be one of them. Just goes to show the kindness of Americans when they become aware of situations like this.
I'm getting to be one of them Aren't we all!!!
I'm pretty sure they will, now that this is out in the open.
I hope so!
So do I Dowser!!