MILTON — By age 40, Oliver Byron had a series of bad breaks and medical misfortunes. After training in the Army and extra schooling, things were great — he had a good job at Logan Airport maintaining navigational equipment, was recently married and had a young son. Then in 1984, at age 37, he received a large electrical shock — 2450 volts surged in through his hand and out his ankles when he touched a transformer while working on strobe lights. He recovered and returned to work, but six months later, he fell down seven steps in the rain on a metal staircase, severely injuring his spine. That ended his career. Three years later, in 1987, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Doctors told him the fall and the neurological disease may have been a result of the electrical shock. Over the next 10 years, he became progressively more disabled. Eight years ago, at age 52, he joined the adult day health group near his home on Brush Hill Road in Milton. The Cooperative Elder Services daytime program was filled mostly with the elderly. Byron adjusted well and then in January, his 90-year-ago mother, Margaret Byron of Mattapan, also joined the group. Mother-and-son is an unusual combination for a seniors program. It is also a sign of the times. When adult day health centers first opened 30 years ago, they were used almost exclusively by seniors. A welcome new alternative to nursing homes, they provided daytime care and activities for people who needed medical attention but …
Video Rating: 0 / 5
The kids open their presents
Milton, Mother, program, seniors, Share
No comments:
Post a Comment