Sick 9/11 Responder Wins Medical Compensation Case

Its victory for Charlie Giles who says he's been through hell and back after fighting to pay medical bills for debilitating ailments contracted while working at Ground Zero following the September 11th terrorist attacks.

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 Yea, Charlie!

Generous Giving Helps Rebuild Handicapped Home

Nov 27, 2008 6:22 pm US/Eastern

Reporting
Stephanie Abrams

SOUDERTON, Pa. (CBS 3) ―

One local family has an extra reason to be thankful this holiday.

After her son was injured in a horrific car accident, Marie Wenhold was desperate to find a way to help him recover.  Stephanie Abrams tells us this story of thanks, for all the giving that built Derek Wenhold a new home and new hope for independence.

When we visited Derek at his home in Sellersville, we found him laughing with friends.  A big change from what his life looked like just two and a half years ago.

"I'm thankful just to be able to speak," said Derek.

The 22 year old was 19 years old when a car accident nearly took his life.  He was in a coma for months, and when he came out of it his brain injury was so severe doctors said he would never walk again.

It took him months to learn to speak and move his hands.  In January of 2007 CBS 3 told you about his mother's dream, to covert their shed into a physical therapy room.

When we returned today, we found that dream had become a reality.

"Word got around and the people were there that were needed," Said Glenn Alderfer, Pastor of Living Faith Fellowship.  "It was a mother trying to help her son and there's just nothing stronger than that.  I felt the lord leading me to get involved," said community organizer Garry Detweiler.

That's the explanation from just a few of nearly one hundred friends who put their hands to work.  Members of two local churches and neighbors were all dedicated to creating a better life for the Wenholds.  So now, that shed we visited in 2007 is now a stunning addition.

Inside you'll find a therapy room where Derek is able to use an elliptical, balance ball, and works on building strength in his arms.  His mother Marie Wenhold said,

"That hope that we had is just becoming a reality, and it's amazing."

Derek even has an elevator taking him upstairs to a brand new large bedroom and handicap accessible bathroom.  Derek says the new addition helps him feel more independent, and told us, "I am truly blessed."  His mother said she's thought about the word Thanksgiving, and realized that she's just thankful for what others have given to them.

If you would like to help send a donation to the address below:

Attn: Derek Wenhold
Special Needs Trust
Univest National Bank and Trust
10 West Broad Street
Souderton, PA 18964

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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http://cbs3.com/

http://cbs3.com/bios/stephanie.abrams.cbs.9.239701.html

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. Derek Wenhold Is Thankful To Be Alive

16 Minutes ago

A young man who is recovering from a near deadly accident is given a new lease on life by generous donations to rebuild his home, Stephanie Abrams reports.

http://cbs3.com/video/?id=69224@kyw.dayport.com

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WeAreChange at 9/11 1st Responder Benefit and Press Conference

WeAreChange with Charles Giles and John Feal/911blogger.com

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11.14.08 An Update:

I received a call today that let me know that the Charlie Giles Benefit Fund has been closed. 

I kept the info posted here on my journal that I am removing from my main site simply for informational purposes.

Please do not mail any additional donations to the fund. 

I will post any further info if I learn any.

Thank you to all of you who have supported the fund that helped Charlie and his family.

__________________________________________

Sept. 11 Hero Gets Help From His Friends

Giles Helped With Rescue, Cleanup Efforts

POSTED: 11:53 pm EDT September 11, 2007

UPDATED: 12:15 am EDT September 12, 2007

PHILADELPHIA -- One of the first responders to the scene at the World Trade Center was an emergency medical technician from North Jersey.

Charles Giles helped with the rescue and cleanup efforts, and now he's trying to cope with mounting medical problems from working at Ground Zero.

"I got a report of a firefighter down and I went into the North Tower," Giles said.

Giles took pictures as his ambulance sped into the dust cloud that was the South Tower, while the EMT tried to save a firefighter in the North Tower, it came down.

"I had made my peace that I was going to die," Giles said. "And then out of dust and rubble and everything comes this gentleman, my guardian angel -- a Port Authority cop."

The hospital report from six years ago showed Giles had first-degree burns on his skin and eyes, and he had severe debris inhalation. Giles, though went back to Ground Zero the next day, and every day, until December. Giles later moved to Barnegat Township in New Jersey, where he is an administrator for Pinewood Estates Volunteer Fire Company.

All the while, though, it became harder for Giles to breathe.

"My right lung is at a pulmonary function of 65 percent," Giles said. "If it goes below 60 percent, there may be a need for a transplant."

When his colleagues found out that the 9/11 Survivors' Fund was not paying Giles' medical bills, and that his home was being foreclosed, they began raising money.

"I think it's a disgrace, I really do," said Michael Essig, president of the Pinewood Estates Volunteer Fire Company. "The government, or New York, or whoever with the WTC Commission, they need to pick it up. This is ridiculous."

The generosity left Giles speechless, but Giles said he wouldn't have any second thoughts.

"I would do it again in a second," Giles said. "Even though my bones may tell me 'no,' I'd do what I have to do and if I have to give my life this country, I would."

__________________________________________

Charlie Giles Benefit Fund
C/O Pinewood Estates Volunteer Fire Company
99 Route 72
Barnegat, NJ 08005
609-698-4168

_________________________________________

Copyright 2007 by NBC10.com. All rights reserved.

_________________________________________

Help N.J. First Responder

POSTED: 11:08 pm EDT September 11, 2007

UPDATED: 11:44 pm EDT September 11, 2007

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.  http://emsresponder.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=6138

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WeAreChange with Charles Giles and John Feal

If you've been following the news around the the internet you may have heard that a man named Charles Giles, an EMT on 9/11, is about to be thrown out of his house because he fell a little over a month behind in his mortgage. This sick and dying first responder has been put through the ringer of government and corporate bureaucracy.

The town of Barnegat, NJ has done what it can to raise money for Charles and his family preparing for the inevitable sheriff sale of his house but John Feal's Foundation and WeAreChange has decided to fight for this man by taking his story to the masses and implicating the bank's and law firms behind this.

This man was severely burnt and had a badly damaged eye but refused to go home and went back to the pile at the trade center until December. He stayed because that's the kind of man Charles is. He wasn't going to give up on us and so we aren't going to give up on him.

http://www.911blogger.com/node/12250

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Donations are being accepted for the Charlie Giles Benefit Fund. Charlie is a 9-11 EMT who now suffers from serious breathing problems relating to his work at ground zero. Charlie is one of many first responders now sick and unable to work. His medical bills are skyrocketing and he could use our help! If you would like to help, donation information is below:

Checks can be made payable to P.E.V.F.C. "The Charlie Giles Benefit Fund" and sent to either the Pinewood Estates Vol. Fire Company located at 99 Route 72, Barnegat, NJ 08005 or sent to Commerce Bank (Barnegat Branch) 560 N. Main St, Barnegat, NJ 08005.

http://www.911memorialquilts.com/

AMERICA'S 9-11 MEMORIAL QUILT  Cookbook Order Form

Meals On Wheels Association Of America

- About MOWAA

The Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) is the oldest and largest organization in the United States representing those who provide meal services to people in need.

MOWAA works toward the social, physical, nutritional, and economic betterment of vulnerable Americans. The Meals On Wheels Association of America provides the tools and information its programs need to make a difference in the lives of others. It also gives cash grants to local senior meal programs throughout the country to assist in providing meals and other nutrition services.

This is our Mission Statement: "The mission of Meals On Wheels Association of America is to provide visionary leadership and professional training and to develop partnerships that will ensure the provision of quality nutrition services."

http://www.mowaa.org/index.asp

.  Meals On Wheels - Chester County PA . . . http://www.mowcc.org/

.  Meals On Wheels - Mongomery County PA:  Family Services Of Montgomery County http://www.fsmontco.org/mow.htm

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I am going to take a portion of my Amazon Marketplace earnings, and put it towards Meals On Wheels.

Subject: Re: Hi Chrissy. It's Marguerite ( About: Fwd: )

Date: Friday, June 20, 2008 8:40 AM

From: "Christine" masonsmom1222@yahoo.com

To: "Rev. M, Earhart" angelusbell_03@yahoo.com

1. http://www.irenasendler.org/

.  http://www.irenasendler.org/default1.asp

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irena_Sendler

3. http://www.hmturnerfoundation.org/html/artjar.html

4. http://www.auschwitz.dk/Sendler.htm

5. World Federation Of Jewish Child Survivors Of The Holocaust

6. Resources for Children of Holocaust Survivors

7. The Association Of Holocaust Organizations

8. http://www.wfjcsh.org/mishpocha/MishSum2003.pdf

9. http://www.ahoinfo.org/site/pp.asp?c=8dJBKPNxFpG&b=310568

Hello all:

I posted a site page for The Irena Sendler Project.  I learned about this from watching the Glenn Beck program - which I am an avid watcher. Not that I always agree with Glenn.  Glenn is a bit of a rabble-rouser, but Glenn tries really hard to bring attention to the good - and not so good - issues of the day.  Glenn tries to promote the truth - even if always sometimes slanted towards awful-izing.

After receiving an email from Mr. Conard today, I had to wonder why they agreed to appear on The Glenn Beck show.  I'm glad they did however.

I received a wonderful response from Mr. Conard, and received permission to post info from their site on mine to promote the project - which I believe in.

I was given the permission, and it was mentioned that I not make political statements that could negatively connect with the fund, or make political statements concerning public figures - such as V.P. Al Gore.

I don't have anything against V.P. Al Gore, and I believe that he is doing some very good work in this world - even though I sometimes don't always agree with him - like him deciding to not run for President in this election.

Those who know me, and navigate across my sites - and I have a few - know that I do make political and challenging statements, and post my feelings concerning issues of the day.  Most of the time I receive positive feedback, but just believe - and know - that I'm not always agreed with. 

(I have been called a heretic several times - and since I'm also Catholic - been dismissed as part of the whore of Babylon once simply because I support the RC Church and it's correct teachings, and don't dismiss them as non-Christians.  As far as I'm concerned if someone accepts Christ as Lord and Savior they are ok by me - It would be the Lord's job to sort it all out.  Judge not, He would say to me.  All I can say to those who call me stuff like that is fine. People have a - and I'm an American - right to their opinions - as long as they don't disrespect, threaten, impose, or try to negate someone elses right to speak theirs.)

Since I was asked by Mr. Conard to not do that in association with the Life In A Jar fund - and that Irena would not appreciate such usage - I decided to remove my site page out of respect for the project.

I do not want to risk offending someone - which is not the Lord's way. 

Irena being a saint, it doesn't surprise me that she wouldn't approve of, or feel comfortable about, or would wish to avoid, such things.

I feel that I have to speak out on, and bring attention to, public issues or people that I might see something wrong about from a Christian perspective.  I believe that I have to do what I feel is right - sometimes I am proven wrong over time and then repent from whatever it was.

Time bears all things out I learned.

I'm going to post the relevant information to the fund here and links on my main site.  It is my endeavor to simply bring attention to the wonderful story and foundation in relation to Irena Sendlerowa.

She is an inspiration.

I look forward to feedback!

Lowell Milken Center

(Repair the World)

4 South Main

Fort Scott, KS 66701

www.lowellmilkencenter.org

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Life in a Jar Foundation

610 Meadow Lane

Fort Scott, KS 66701

www.irenasendler.org

The Lowell Milken Center and Life in a Jar Foundation are 509 and 501 (c) 3 non-profit institutions.

.  Photo: Mason Connerton

To: "Rev. M, Earhart" angelusbell_03@yahoo.com

Subject: Re: Hello. In Regards To News Story About Mason

Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:19:53 -0700 (PDT)

Hello,

Here is a picture of Mason. This is from halloween, if you need a more recent picture let me know. He has Polymicrogyria, Cerebral Palsy, cortical vision impairment and a seizure disorder. He can not walk, sit, or stand or hold his own head up. He needs assistance with everything, even to play. I hope this helps. And if there is anything else you need from me let me know. And, I will be in touch once we get the foundation set up.

Thanks,

Chrissy

(Rev. Note:  I learned about Mason Connerton from a NBC10 news story.  I looked for the news story that aired on NBC10, but was unable to find it - which I'm not certain why, or any other online information concerning Mason.  Mom said she plans to create a web site for Mason. 

To date:  Mom emailed me and said she was able finally have a trust created for Mason.  A lawyer had very generously helped them to do that.  I have not received that address to date to post however.

The family is appearing to still be figuring things out, and are making really good progress.  I have the family's address, but have been asked - not that I would have posted it - to not post it.  Which is ok.

I pulled this off of my main site, because I don't have the information necessary for people to inquire for information.  People were starting to write concerning donation information.  It's been slow in forthcoming.

I'll post any updates if I receive the trust information.  I may at a later time repost this once again on my main site.)

From:  Shimell, Doug (NBC Universal, WCAU)  Doug.Shimell@nbcuni.com

Sent:  Thursday, March 13, 2008 2:35 PM

Margarite:

My apologies for taking so long to get back to you about Mason Connerton.

The Intelligencer

Fundraiser on schedule in New Britain Twp.

By intelligencer

A fundraiser to help with installation of a ramp and elevator for Mason Connerton, 3, will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cheeburger Cheeburger at the Genuardi’s Shopping Center, Route 202 and County Line Road, New Britain Township, which is donating 15 percent of the proceeds from those customers bringing in a flier. Information:  215-997-6235. (Updated 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 29)

http://www.phillyburbs.com/

(Rev. Note:  I don't know the exact date for this particular fundraiser.  It was not posted.)

______________________________

About Polymicrogyria:  http://www.lissencephaly.org.uk/aboutliss/pmg.htm

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymicrogyria

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/polymicrogyria/

Derek's Story

Derek Wenhold was left in a coma after his car crashed 800 feet down into an embankment. Against the odds, he has begun the healing process, but his family is in need of help. If you would like to help send a donation to the address below:

Attn: Derek Wenhold Special Needs Trust
Univest National Bank and Trust
10 West Broad Street
Souderton, PA 18964

(Rev. Note:  Was still accepting donations to the trust to date May 2008.  I have not received any updates, or communication with the family, at all as far as any updates for Derek and their progress.  I wrote to the above address, but didn't receive any response back. 

I want to thank the family for the lovely thank you card that I did receive early on.  I liked it a lot!)

_____
Derek's Story
http://cbs3.com/video/?id=35001@kyw.dayport.com
_____
kyw.com
http://cbs3.com/

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Jan 9, 2007 4:30 pm US/Eastern

Derek's Story

Stephanie Abrams
Reporting

(CBS 3) SELLERSVILLE A young man in Sellersville is trying to get his life back after a horrific accident that sent his car spinning 800 feet crashing down an embankment, leaving him in critical condition.

20-year-old Derek Wenhold was left in a coma and medical experts told his family if he did survive, he'd only be one step above brain dead.

Derek proved everyone wrong and has begun the healing process, but now he needs help reaching his goal before time runs out.

Derek leans on his mother for every step, moving forward with pure willpower as he works on relearning everything from how to walk to how to talk.

"I came a long way," he said.

Like his speech, every movement is labored after a devastating car accident in Sellersville last January.

Derek's brain was so badly injured, doctors believed he would never come out of his coma. His mother, Marie, refused to consider organ donation and with each visit, Derek's family looked for a sign that he was still with them.

Four months later after the crash, their wish was granted.

"It started with an eyebrow, he would answer questions with his eyebrow," Marie said.

After the silent signals came grunting and now he can finally answer back.

"I haven't stopped, just don't give up," Derek said.

Little movements are big tasks, but he has even regained his sense of humor.

His mother is proud of how far he's come, but she is also getting anxious because time is running out.

"They can go so far as 18 months before they plateau," she said.

It has been a year since the accident, so Derek is left with six months until his brain will stop repairing itself.

He will need non-stop physical therapy, so his mother wants to convert their shed into a therapy room so he can make the most of these next months.

"If he can put forth the effort that he's putting forth, the least we can do is give him the opportunity to do it," Marie said.

Right now it's just a dream, since the family does not have the money built the room, but they hope maybe someone will help them.

They have already witnessed one miracle.

"I'm king of amazed I got through this," Derek said.

Derek knows he'll never skateboard again, but he believes that if he works hard enough he'll get what he wants most.

"To have a normal life," he said.

Derek's mother lost her job when she started taking care of her son full time, so they are very low on funds for medical expenses and the cost of the therapy room.

If you would like to help send a donation to the address below:

Attn: Derek Wenhold
Special Needs Trust
Univest National Bank and Trust
10 West Broad Street
Souderton, PA 18964

(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

http://cbs3.com/topstories/local_story_009080422.html

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Dollars for Derek
Derek Wenhold is the son of one of our staff members who was in a very serious car accident in January. Derek is still in a Rehab hospital undergoing physical therapy and working hard at regaining skills and movement. He has recently begun to speak! Derek is to return home sometime this summer; however he will continue to require constant care and PT. Derek's mother is a single mom who has been by Derek's side throughout this process while trying to work when possible.

We’d like to thank all the people who showed their support in the Dollars for Derek Raffle. Although the raffle is over, if you would like to support this cause please contact our office at 215-723-2162.

Weaver Reckner Reinhart Dental Associates

http://www.gotta-smile.com/officenews.html

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Other information:

Police news - 01/06/06

The Intelligencer

Warwick

19-year-old "critical' after Warwick crash

A 19-year-old Sellersville man was in critical condition at Abington Memorial Hospital on Thursday, a day after a two-car crash at Bristol and York roads in Warwick.

Derek E. Wenhold suffered head injuries in the crash, which happened at 9:43 p.m. Wednesday, according to Warwick Police Chief Joseph Costello.

Three people in the second vehicle involved in the crash were released from hospitals after getting treatment. They are Alexander Vassilev, 40, of Furlong, along with his wife, Oksana Vassilev, 39, and son, Philip, 15. Police said Wenhold was traveling west on Bristol when his vehicle collided with Vassilev's car at the Bristol-York roads intersection.

Alexander Vassilev was driving the vehicle, police said. Anyone who saw the crash is asked to call Warwick police at (215) 343-6102.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-01062006-593783.html

Police news - 01/07/06

Warwick

Teen's condition still "critical': Derek E. Wenhold, 19, of Sellersville, was still in critical condition at Abington Memorial Hospital on Friday, two days after he suffered head injuries in a two-car crash at Bristol and York roads in Warwick. Police are asking anyone who saw the collision, which happened at 9:43 p.m. Wednesday, to call them at (215) 343-6102.

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/113-01072006-594317.html