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Good Samaritans aid elderly couple
Christmas wish comes true through kindness of strangers
By Carol Haynes
chaynes@paragoulddailypress.com
A Paragould couple has been overwhelmed by the kindness of strangers after a Christmas wish was granted that will make a remarkable change in their lives.
Jessie and Iva Jean Barham shared their story with the Daily Press in December about the need for an electric wheelchair lift for their van.
Jessie is basically confined to a wheelchair with several serious health issues. He can walk short distances, but even a trip to the doctor can be difficult.
Iva Jean, who also has health problems, is unable to lift Jessie into their van without the help of their daughter. It leaves the couple practically homebound, unable to attend church or other social events.
Frequent trips to the doctor are about the only reasons they leave their east Paragould home.
Their monthly fixed income leaves little money left over, and certainly not enough to purchase an expensive electric lift.
After the Daily Press published their story, the Jonesboro Sun also ran the story.
In Lake City, David Brooks, who rises early, was drinking a cup of coffee and reading The Sun. He saw the Barham’s story and their need for an electric wheelchair lift.
Knowing his tenderhearted and compassionate wife, Carol, he left the newspaper article on her side of the table. She usually sleeps later than he does.
When she sat down for breakfast and saw the newspaper article, she said she asked, “What’s this?”
She read the story and the Brooks knew they had the solution to the Barham’s dilemma in Carol’s brother’s shop.
Carol’s 18-year-old son is handicapped and in a wheelchair. For years, they used a mini-van with an electric wheelchair lift. When the transmission went out on the van in 2006, her parents gave her a larger van that required a larger lift. The old electric lift had been stored in her brother’s shop since then.
For two years, Carol said, they have tried to give the electric lift away but could not find anyone to take it.
Carol said because she understands what it is like to be in need of an electric lift, she didn’t hesitate to call the Barhams and tell them about the lift.
Iva Jean said that was a couple of weeks ago, when the roads were iced over.
“I told them we couldn’t come and get it with the roads bad,” Iva Jean said.
But Carol told them they would bring the lift to them as soon as the weather and roads cleared.
It was still cold when the Brooks brought the lift to Paragould.
“It was cold and I asked them in, but they said they were in a hurry,” Iva Jean explained, smiling. “So they just unloaded it and left.”
Neither Barham could recall the names of the generous couple.
“So we just call them Good Samaritans,” Iva said.
But the goodness and kindness of others did not end. Two more people called to offer the couple electric lifts, but they were able to tell them they had already been blessed with one.
Another kind stranger, Mildred Cook of Bono, called and asked for their address. She didn’t have an electric lift, but she wanted to send them a check for $200.
“I’m not rich by any means,” Cook told the Daily Press in a telephone call. “Sometimes you just need to help people.”
Although they have asked to remain anonymous, two businesses and a family in Paragould have generously offered to pay for the lift to be installed in the van. The van should be delivered to the Barhams within a few days.
Jessie said the latch on the door of the van has been broken for some time, making it extremely difficult to open and close. With the money Cook sent, he plans to get the latch fixed.
Jessie said, “I have always believed in the scripture that says, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’
“And I’ve always tried to practice that, no matter what position I held ... I always tried to practice that scripture.”
Jessie has served as a minister for 35 years and misses being able to serve others. He said with the help of the wheelchair lift, he just might be able to visit those in need again.
“All things are possible with God,” Iva Jean said. “There are good people in the world. We just mostly hear about the bad ones.”
Carol Brooks said she was thrilled to be able to help the Barhams. “If you can’t help people, there’s no need to be around,” she added.
Jessie and Iva Jean Barham shared their story with the Daily Press in December about the need for an electric wheelchair lift for their van.
Jessie is basically confined to a wheelchair with several serious health issues. He can walk short distances, but even a trip to the doctor can be difficult.
Iva Jean, who also has health problems, is unable to lift Jessie into their van without the help of their daughter. It leaves the couple practically homebound, unable to attend church or other social events.
Frequent trips to the doctor are about the only reasons they leave their east Paragould home.
Their monthly fixed income leaves little money left over, and certainly not enough to purchase an expensive electric lift.
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In Lake City, David Brooks, who rises early, was drinking a cup of coffee and reading The Sun. He saw the Barham’s story and their need for an electric wheelchair lift.
Knowing his tenderhearted and compassionate wife, Carol, he left the newspaper article on her side of the table. She usually sleeps later than he does.
When she sat down for breakfast and saw the newspaper article, she said she asked, “What’s this?”
She read the story and the Brooks knew they had the solution to the Barham’s dilemma in Carol’s brother’s shop.
Carol’s 18-year-old son is handicapped and in a wheelchair. For years, they used a mini-van with an electric wheelchair lift. When the transmission went out on the van in 2006, her parents gave her a larger van that required a larger lift. The old electric lift had been stored in her brother’s shop since then.
For two years, Carol said, they have tried to give the electric lift away but could not find anyone to take it.
Carol said because she understands what it is like to be in need of an electric lift, she didn’t hesitate to call the Barhams and tell them about the lift.
Iva Jean said that was a couple of weeks ago, when the roads were iced over.
“I told them we couldn’t come and get it with the roads bad,” Iva Jean said.
But Carol told them they would bring the lift to them as soon as the weather and roads cleared.
It was still cold when the Brooks brought the lift to Paragould.
“It was cold and I asked them in, but they said they were in a hurry,” Iva Jean explained, smiling. “So they just unloaded it and left.”
Neither Barham could recall the names of the generous couple.
“So we just call them Good Samaritans,” Iva said.
But the goodness and kindness of others did not end. Two more people called to offer the couple electric lifts, but they were able to tell them they had already been blessed with one.
Another kind stranger, Mildred Cook of Bono, called and asked for their address. She didn’t have an electric lift, but she wanted to send them a check for $200.
“I’m not rich by any means,” Cook told the Daily Press in a telephone call. “Sometimes you just need to help people.”
Although they have asked to remain anonymous, two businesses and a family in Paragould have generously offered to pay for the lift to be installed in the van. The van should be delivered to the Barhams within a few days.
Jessie said the latch on the door of the van has been broken for some time, making it extremely difficult to open and close. With the money Cook sent, he plans to get the latch fixed.
Jessie said, “I have always believed in the scripture that says, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.’
“And I’ve always tried to practice that, no matter what position I held ... I always tried to practice that scripture.”
Jessie has served as a minister for 35 years and misses being able to serve others. He said with the help of the wheelchair lift, he just might be able to visit those in need again.
“All things are possible with God,” Iva Jean said. “There are good people in the world. We just mostly hear about the bad ones.”
Carol Brooks said she was thrilled to be able to help the Barhams. “If you can’t help people, there’s no need to be around,” she added.
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