Unions build ramp for disabled 911 dispatcher

MANSFIELD – Rob Ruth watched with awe as City of Mansfield employees worked side-by-side to build a wheelchair ramp outside his Lexington Avenue home Monday.

"They're my unsung heroes," he said from his living room as members of the city's unions — International Association of Firefighters Local 266, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3088, and the Fraternal Order of Police 32, worked for the longtime employee of the city's 911 office.

Ruth's health problems have made it impossible for him to walk and when members learned he had fallen on hard times, they donated money toward the wheelchair ramp. His wife Melody — "Meli" — is disabled and unable to work, having been a paramedic for a private ambulance service.

Ruth, 54, was injured Oct. 13, 2013, in an accident.

A dispatcher for 20 years with the city's 911 public service communications center, Ruth said he didn't seek medical attention immediately. He had some pain in his shoulder, but by December of last year his hips were hurting. He soon was diagnosed with avascular neurosis, which means there was no blood flow going to the heads of his femur.

Infections have plagued his shoulder and hips, requiring hospitalizations and surgeries.

Ruth has been off work since Aug. 16, when he lost the use of both hips. Complications have required a three-month stay in a rehabilitation facility in Ashland. He has been on massive amounts of antibiotics.

His hope is to have two hip replacements in April 2015 and eventually get back to the 911 center, which he calls "the love of his life."

It is not yet known if he will have to have a rotator cuff surgery.

Ruth, who grew up on a farm south of Lexington, became an amateur radio operator at age 14. He spent 10 years in the U.S. Navy as a radio man. A job opened up and he eventually was hired.

He is no longer receiving any paychecks from the city, having used up all his sick and vacation time. He is in the process of applying for disability from the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System.

Dan Mapes, president of the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3088, said the community's help is needed to cover costs of the building materials needed for the wheelchair ramp. On Monday, he set up a fund at Directions Credit Union for Ruth.

Mapes said everyone is glad to lend a hand.

Monday, the construction was well underway with Mansfield Firefighter Josh Getz having drawn up the plans and Firefighters Joe Lucas, Mike Lifer and Tom Mascazzini all spending their day on the project.

Lucas got the ball rolling and contacted Mapes and the rest is history, fellow firefighters on site said Monday.

"It's great all three organizations came together at a time of need. This has not happened since I've been here," said Mapes, who has worked 22 years for the city.

Ruth said he didn't even really know Lucas except from his voice on the radio when he decided to put up a post on Facebook about his situation.

"Joe went around and asked for donations to help get the lumber and help get some things to help us," Ruth said. "I've got a whole bunch of angels. They've all come out, and they've decided to put in a ramp for us and move some furniture around in the house for us. It's been an extreme blessing to us. I don't know what I would have done without them," Ruth said.

He and his wife said thank you isn't enough.

"God has truly blessed us with wonderful friends and family," Meli said.

lwhitmir@nncogannett.com419-521-7223Twitter: @LWhitmir