Wellness check reveals paralyzed veteran without working wheelchair

CARLETON – On June 23, Carleton and South Rockwood police and the Ash Township Fire Department responded to the 600 block of Elm Street to check on the health and well-being of Kenneth Clelland, a 65-year-old Army veteran.

Early that afternoon, Carleton Police Chief Roy Johnson received a call from a health care provider who was working to get Clelland a wheelchair and unable to do an evaluation next month.

A retired pipefitter with United Association Local 190, Clelland has been paralyzed since 2017 following spinal surgery. He lives alone in his mobile home and relies on a motorized wheelchair for mobility.

An electrical fire in the wheelchair left Clelland without a mobility device. The chair had been malfunctioning and while he was out getting groceries, he was caught in the rain and the chair caught fire. He doesn’t remember how he got home.

After obtaining a prescription from his physician, Clelland began working with Ann Arbor-based University of Michigan Health System Wheelchair Seating Services for a replacement. He was told it would take up to 6 months.

Last Friday afternoon, Johnson was the first to arrive at Clelland’s home. He observed an aluminum ramp, a wheelchair outside of the mobile home and an open window with an operating window fan. Through the window, Johnson observed a large, black dog barking aggressively.

He called out Clelland’s first name and watched as Clelland crawled to the window so that they could communicate.

While assessing the situation, it was discovered Clelland had been without his wheelchair for four weeks and was homebound with his dog, Shelby, and cat, Ally. Crawling to get around, he was unable to make doctor appointments or schedule any medical tests he needed.

“It was heartbreaking,” Johnson said. “When I arrived to see him on all fours, it was absolutely unacceptable for any human being to be in that position. Whether it’s one of my residents or someone else’s residents, we were going to do everything we could even if we could not come up with a wheelchair. We were going to get him to a place where he could temporarily stay where he wouldn’t be alone.”

The first responders made calls to charities and veteran organizations for temporary lodging for Clelland. However, he refused to leave his home and his pets.

A label on Clelland’s inoperable wheelchair prompted Johnson to contact Binson’s Medical Equipment & Supplies in Macomb County about the possibility of replacing the mobility equipment.

Kyle Senechal, patient coordinator for Binson’s custom mobility and repair department, took the call and notified director Kelly Lanzon who approved the urgent request. The company’s delivery department dropped off a temporary wheelchair that evening.

“My employee, Kyle Senechal, was very instrumental in coordinating all this,” Lanzon said. “Kyle is following up with the physician. We’ve requested information from the doctor and we’ll try to get a new chair. We’ll work with the doctor, but it could take a year to get everything.”

U-M Health System Wheelchair Seating Service was notified to confirm if they were working with Clelland and why there has been a delay in replacing his wheelchair.

Mary Masson, Michigan Medicine director of public relations, responded in an email stating patient privacy is taken very seriously and she could not comment on specifics.

“When a referral is made to University of Michigan Health for wheelchair seating, we begin a careful process of evaluating the patient to ensure correct equipment is provided. This involves a therapist evaluating the patient, providing information to insurance, scheduling fittings and ordering correct equipment,” Masson said. "Equipment cannot be provided without an evaluation to ensure the patient is not harmed by inappropriate devices. Patient safety is our top priority at U-M Health. If Kenneth Clelland would like to be evaluated for a new wheelchair, he should contact our Wheelchair Seating Service immediately so we can schedule an appointment. We are currently offering appointments within seven weeks on average but can often get patients in sooner with cancellations.”

The Monroe News reached out to Veterans Affairs Healthcare System in Ann Arbor to possibly assist Clelland.

According to email response from Brian Hayes, communications director at the VA hospital, on Monday, June 26, Clelland was notified of his options to enroll in health care. The hospital will follow up to see if the application process is compete and ensure Clelland is enrolled and gets an appointment.

For now, equipped with a temporary motorized wheelchair, Clelland will contact the Monroe County Opportunity Program (MCOP) specialized transportation department and pay for a ride to follow up with his doctor in his hometown.

The Carleton resident said he is overwhelmed by the outpouring of support he received.

“My legs are bruised and cut from having to crawl to get around. With this wheelchair, I’ll be able to go see my doctor,” he said. “The police don’t get the respect they deserve. I am grateful to Chief Johnson for his help. I am humbled.”

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Wellness check reveals paralyzed veteran without working wheelchair