Elderly cancer patient calls 911 because he has no food

rockin'robin

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FAYETTEVILLE, NC --
When 81-year-old Clarence Blackmon returned home Tuesday after spending months in the hospital for cancer treatments and rehab, his refrigerator was empty.

He had nothing to eat and no way to get to the store. Hungry and desperate, he called 911. He asked the operator if someone could go to the store for him and buy some groceries.

He told the operator whatever she could do would help.

"I can't do anything. I can't go anywhere. I can't get out of my damn chair," Blackmon said in his 911 call.

"I can't do anything. I can't go anywhere. I can't get out of my damn chair," Blackmon said in his 911 call.


Operator Marilyn Hinson took the call and told Blackmon they would take him some groceries.

"He was hungry," Hinson said. "I've been hungry. A lot of people can't say that, but I can, and I can't stand for anyone to be hungry."

Blackmon told Hinson that all he wanted was a head of cabbage, some cans of beans and beets, some popcorn, tomato juice, and soft drinks.

With her supervisor's permission, Hinson went to the grocery store and bought groceries. Then, with the help of Fayetteville police officers, she delivered the food in person to Blackmon.

She made Blackmon a ham sandwich, which he called a feast. She also made him a couple more sandwiches for later on.

Blackmon called it a blessing.

"It was like a little miracle ringing in my ear," Blackmon said. "I thought, 'Jesus, you answered those prayers!'"

Blackmon said he will soon have a home health nurse who will check on him twice a week. For now, thanks to a guardian angel, he won't go to bed hungry.

If you'd like to help, contact the Fayetteville Police Department.

http://abc7.com/society/elderly-cancer-patient-calls-911-because-he-has-no-food-/720153/
 
that two edge sword dreadful he discharged no back up in place friends family age charity etc but so hearting see kind people 0n 911 service
 
I can't believe the doctor or hospital did not set the person up with a health aide ,they had to know the guy lived alone and was going to need help getting food to eat. That was so sweet of the 911 person to help the poor guy out. :aw: So true caz12 , the doctors and hospital did not do their job. I had clients that been in the hospital for months and they had a health aide and visiting nurse see them the same day they got back home or next the day.
 
WHAT? He didn't get arrested for abuse of 911 service? There was a woman who called 911 cause McDonalds wouldn't give her hamburger
 
WHAT? He didn't get arrested for abuse of 911 service? There was a woman who called 911 cause McDonalds wouldn't give her hamburger


This was an 81 year old man dealing with a return home from a hospital with cancer, starving, not some woman at McDonalds who merely wanted a hamburger. What is wrong with you ?????????
 
I can't believe the doctor or hospital did not set the person up with a health aide ,they had to know the guy lived alone and was going to need help getting food to eat. That was so sweet of the 911 person to help the poor guy out. :aw: So true caz12 , the doctors and hospital did not do their job. I had clients that been in the hospital for months and they had a health aide and visiting nurse see them the same day they got back home or next the day.

Someone clearly dropped the ball...sending anyone home in need of care, that should be the first question out of your mouth.

Laura
 
Someone clearly dropped the ball...sending anyone home in need of care, that should be the first question out of your mouth.

Laura

I know , and I am so glad the woman from 911 helped the poor guy get some food. If the guy did not have a lot of money his doctor should helped him get on Meals on Wheel before he was send home. I am afraid this is going to happen a lot more, the quality of care will get worst as more people age . I saw this happen when I was health aide , clients got 2 hours of care when I started working and clients got only hour and I had a client that had 15 minutes of care . I had only 12 minutes to help him after doing my paper work .
 
This was an 81 year old man dealing with a return home from a hospital with cancer, starving, not some woman at McDonalds who merely wanted a hamburger. What is wrong with you ?????????

Nothing,,, 911 is ment for emergencies only.Not because you're starving and hungry. If youre hungry go find food and steal it. If you get caught you go to jail and be well fed by taxpayers expense.
 
Nothing,,, 911 is ment for emergencies only.Not because you're starving and hungry. If youre hungry go find food and steal it. If you get caught you go to jail and be well fed by taxpayers expense.

There's something wrong with you!!...This frail, elderly man could not even get out of his chair....
 
Originally Posted by The Joker View Post
Nothing,,, 911 is ment for emergencies only.Not because you're starving and hungry. If youre hungry go find food and steal it. If you get caught you go to jail and be well fed by taxpayers expense.

This was an emergency ! The guy was housebound he was not able to leave his house , he would had staved to death if no one came to help him.
His doctor did not do their job , the doctor is suppose to made sure their patient has someone around to help them buy food and care for them before sending them home . If there is no one the patient is send a rehab to recover or a nursing home if they're not able to live alone anymore.
I am sure glad you were not the person handing the 911 call . I agree with everyone , and I know what wrong with you , you're heartless! This story brought tears to my eyes , the poor man send home to a house with no food to eat is elder abuse !
 
Oh i see now,,If he couldn't walk thats ok.Im talking about people who abuse the system like if you have a problem with McDonalds or any company that customer service gives you a headache you don't dial 911 and get them solve the problem for you.
 
Wow...glad he called 911 for help. That was definitely an emergency!
 
Something like this has now been highlighted so hopefully social service get act in order
 
Did you know? 1/4 people in America doesn't understand about 911.
 
Nothing,,, 911 is ment for emergencies only.Not because you're starving and hungry. If youre hungry go find food and steal it. If you get caught you go to jail and be well fed by taxpayers expense.

You are just too black and white about things.....and, apparently, heartless....
 
that two edge sword dreadful he discharged no back up in place friends family age charity etc but so hearting see kind people 0n 911 service

I did not realize there was more to the story and clicked on the link , the man will be getting a home health aide checking on him twice a week .
That is good but I saw wish he had a health aide everyday . He really belong at rehab until he is able to get out of his chair on his own. I sure wish the reporter had not showed the man money on TV , that was not very bright.
 
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