Meet Jeff Allen, Manager of the Recycled Equipment Donated for Independence (REDI) Program at the Access Center for Independent Living (ACIL). Life thew him a curve ball in 2004 when he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects nerves causing weakness and tingling in extremities which in severe cases can cause paralysis, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC) Despite catching the syndrome early and seeking quick intervention, Jeff became a wheelchair user after a difficult recovery from treatment.
“I used to work on power lines for a living. I knew life would look different as a wheelchair user, but I wasn’t sure how different. I am glad my friend, John, introduced me to ACIL,” Jeff said.
Although Guillain-Barré Syndrome took some of Jeff’s mobility, he is determined to not let it take any more.
“To this day, I won’t put footrests on my wheelchair because I am a big believer of ‘if you don’t use it, you lose it’ and I don’t want to lose the ability to use my legs,” he said.
Starting out as a volunteer, Jeff ran the speech station of our Think This Is Easy? training and used marshmallow to demonstrate to people how difficult it can be to communicate with a speech impediment.
“Eventually I started helping with REDI too because I saw it as a great way to help people. When it comes to advocacy, I am passionate about doing whatever I can to help others. I am happy to work at a place like ACIL where I can do that,” he said.
REDI is a program through which ACIL gives donated, gently used durable medical equipment to those in need in hopes of helping people become more independent and able to live life to the fullest in the community of their choice. Jeff showed such dedication to REDI as a volunteer that after about six months he was given the opportunity to manage the program as a paid employee.
“REDI helps consumers get medical equipment that insurance takes too long to cover or won’t cover. For example, ACIL is the only local agency that offers hospital beds to those who can’t otherwise get them. When I help someone get a hospital bed or another piece of equipment that they need so that they can get their loved one home, I get to see the relief in their eyes and hear it in their voice. Helping people like that is my favorite part of working here,” Jeff said.
As Manager of the REDI Program, Jeff handles all the medical equipment donations that come into ACIL and all calls that come in regarding equipment requests. He also organizes all REDI inventory. In addition to his REDI duties, Jeff will sometimes assist with custodial duties. He is also the first employee to offer to come in early or stay late when another employee with physical challenges needs help locking or unlocking the building.
Jeff is a very dedicated employee who has taken very little time off work in the nearly seven years that he has worked for ACIL. He is a big fan of all sports and a huge family man so; on the weekends he spends time with his loved ones and enjoying whatever sport is in season. While he enjoys all sports, Jeff’s favorite pastime is watching football, specifically the Houston Texans.
Need to reach out to Jeff regarding REDI or something else? Contact him at 937-341-5202 Ext 104 or [email protected]
