Posted: 10/11/05
Frankie gets a helping hand
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
Frankie Newton had difficulty finding the right words of appreciation for what is happening to her house and her life.
They are good things for a change.
ìHeís an amazing man,î she said after posing for a picture with John Esch. Esch had taken a break from remodeling Newtonís bathroom to answer a few questions for this reporter.
ìI donít even know how to begin to thank him,î Newton said.
Esch didnít seem to think thanks were necessary. In fact, he seemed to thank Newton, whose body is withering from a condition called Undiagnosed Gulf War Syndrome.
ìYes, itís something,î Esch said of her illness. ìThatís why I decided she needed some help. If she was good enough to fight in the Gulf WarÖî He didnít finish the sentence.
The Caledonia part of this story starts about three months ago. Thatís when Newton called Esch, a former contractor, to get a bid on remodeling her bathroom and building a deck.
Those changes are needed for Newtonís condition. She said the syndrome affects the motor neurons in her body, so that the brainís signals are not getting to her muscles. She has lost the use of her left leg, and partially her right. She walks with difficulty ñ and with pain ñ using crutches. She thinks sheíll need a wheelchair some day. Hence the need for a ramp. She needed the bathroom remodeled because she needed a walk-in shower. Her bathtub wasnít working anyway. She also wanted her laundry room moved from upstairs to downstairs.
ìItís getting harder and harder for me to go upstairs,î Newton said.
Newtonís face muscles are deteriorating too, and her tongue is affected, which in turn is affecting her speech.
What caused the syndrome?
She isnít sure what brought on the disease, but she believes it was from her service in the Gulf War in 1990-1991. She served in the Signal Batallion of the First Armored Division. Scud missiles blew up overhead, and she was in smoke from the oil wells that were blown up by retreating Iraqis. ìI was in a lot of stuff,î she said.
She also received many inoculations, including one that was classified. ìI couldnít even tell you what it was,î she said.
She noticed tingling in her hands and feet before she got home from the war. ìIt went on for a couple years, then it progressed till I did notice it,î she recalled. It seemed to settle in her left leg.
Newton was released from the Army in 1994. She is receiving disability pay now and medial treatment through the Veteranís Administration. The VA recognized the syndrome two years ago, she said.
Newton moved to Caledonia from Duluth two years ago to be close to her family, which lives in the La Crosse, Wisconsin area.
The refinancing of her house at 614 South Winnebago came up far short of the money needed for the remodeling. She tried getting a grant to help her. ìSo far itís just a bunch of red tape and paperwork,î she said.
When Esch heard about that, and about her medical story, he brought it up with his fellow parishioners at St. Maryís Catholic Church in Caledonia. They had done a home improvement project in Martin, Kentucky, earlier this year. Esch and other thought it made sense to do something here in Caledonia.
Esch built the outside ramp, with help from Al Huesmann, Kelly McGraw, and Brad Hesse. Caledonia Lumber donated about a third of the lumber. A group of church volunteers pressure-washed the house, then put on a coat of printer and two coats of paint. Bernau Concrete of Brownsville poured a new driveway, donating all the material and labor.
Esch is now converting a small bedroom into a new bathroom, with a laundry room going where the old bathroom was. Esch Construction, owned by Nick King, will furnish the labor on the plumbing work. John said he hasnít contacted an electrician yet, but he is confident he will find a willing volunteer.
Newton thinks all this is incredible. She said she hasnít been able to work for six years. Esch asked her if she wanted to volunteer to staff the new Chamber of Commerce office at 214 East Main Street. Newton was glad to be able to help there. She said it has gotten her out of the house.
ëSheís doing a good job for us up there,î said Esch, a Chamber member. ìSheís a good kid.î
Caledonia Argus
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E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com