On Father’s Day Dennis Short suffered an accident at his home which caused him to be life-flighted to St. Francis hospital in Tulsa where he has remained for over a month. He had been working on his truck when it began rolling and ran on top of his left foot, pinning it under the tire.

“I knew I was in trouble and started yelling for my next door neighbor but they didn’t hear me. I guess I was trapped for over fifteen minutes or more when someone finally heard me and caiied 911. 1 don’t remember them moving the truck off my foot. I guess I passed out from the pain.”

Volunteer firefighter Holly Lackey, with Paradise Point Fire Department, was one of the first responders on scene. Lackey also knew Short because they both are members of the Checotah Art Guild (CAG).

“My foot had several broken bones and it ripped my skin down to the tendons being exposed. I’ve had three surgeries so far and will have to have rehab and lots of physical therapy once I get home. Right now I’m just grateful someone heard me and I haven’t lost my foot.”

While Short has been in the hospital, his brother, Albert Short, reached out on social media for help to get a ramp built for when Dennis got to finally come home. That’s when Iris Park, president of the CAG, stepped up to make sure the ramp happened.

So this weekend a couple of Paradise Point Fire Department firefighters and a few amazing members from the Checotah Art Guild spent their time volunteering to build Short a wheelchair ramp at his home.

Paradise Point Fire Department posted this statement on social media: “We are always proud to help our community out when we can, and hopefully this will make things easier for this person when they are able to come home. We are so thankful for all these men and women who were able to make this project possible.”

After six weeks in the hospital, Short is finally getting to come home this week.

“I am truly at a loss for words,” Short said. “I’m so grateful for your kind hearts, your time and efforts. I really can’t thank you all enough but thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you’ve done.

Volunteers who helped build the new ramp included: Albert Short, Don Kelly, Tom Garrett, Holly Lackey, Chris Gierut and Jim Stoker.

Iris Park, Leah Todd and Teresa Ellifritt also volunteered and worked inside Short’s house to get everything ready for him to come home.