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Serving the Heart of Central Alberta for 106 years
VOLUME ONE-HUNDRED SEVEN
PM40011853 R08546
NUMBER FORTY-SIX
STETTLER, ALBERTA
November 13, 2013
PRICE — $1.09 Plus GST
Stettler ‘gives thanks for sacrifices’ LES STULBERG Independent contributor
As thousands gathered across the nation to mark Remembrance Day on Monday, the Stettler community filled the Stettler Performing Arts Centre to capacity to remember and honour the men and women who have served this country in war and peace-keeping missions. Notable and refreshing was the fact that the audience was comprised of multi-generation families, young and old alike, from babies in arms right up to the most senior citizens. Each year, of course, the number of veterans in attendance dwindles slightly. Stettler lost one of its most celebrated war heroes last January with the death of Jack Chapman. Speakers at Monday’s service paid tribute to the late Chapman for his service and his devotion to the Stettler branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Lest we forget, the traditional two-hour service helped keep the memory alive of those who served in the great wars and peace-keeping efforts. Some of them made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. A key message delivered on Remembrance Day was that the freedoms we enjoy today should not be taken for granted, and that “a huge debt of gratitude” is owed to those who served to protect those freedoms. In her invocation address, Rev. Carolyn Langford praised those who bravely served. “We remember those who died and those who returned wounded — in body, mind and spirit,” Langford said. “We give thanks for their sacrifices.” After the service at the Performing Arts Centre, the Legion colour guard and members of the RCMP detachments marched to Sharpe’s Memorial Park to lay wreaths at the memorial cenotaph on a cool but sunny November day. LES STULBERG/Independent contributor
Const. William Lewadniuk of the Stettler RCMP detachment lays a wreath at the Sharpe’s Memorial Park cenotaph Monday during Remembrance Day services in Stettler. See more photos on Page A2.
Community support sought for man’s ‘miraculous’ recovery LES STULBERG Independent contributor Marvin and Shelly Potter of Stettler have been bravely dealing with a health crisis on their own for the past few years. Marvin has been on the waiting list for a lung transplant for more than a year. On Oct. 26, he received a double-lung transplant by a team of surgeons in a ninehour surgery at the University of Alberta Hospital in Edmonton. The family is elated at Marvin’s new lease on life. “I can’t describe how unbelievable this is,” Shelly said of the life-giving operation. “It’s definitely a miracle.” Shelly said she now realizes how important it is for people to sign their organ-donor cards. “One life can save seven or eight lives,” she said. “Some good can come from something so tragic.” The “miracle” has not come without costs. “It has been emotionally, physically and financially draining,” Shelly said. “It’s been a long grind.” Marvin, 67, has been unable to work for the past two years because of complications of emphysema and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The couple has drawn down their savings
Contributed photo
Thankful for his double-lung transplant last month, Marvin Potter and wife Shelly are banking on the Stettler community’s support to counter costs associated with his recovery. “to get by,” but the costs are still coming in. To try to ease the financial burden, the Stettler FCSS is co-ordinating a benefit for the Potters where donations can be made to help the Potters through a difficult time. “We have been watching this journey and see
the hardships stressful times like this presents,” said FCSS director Wendy Rhyason. Shelly is employed at the Stettler FCSS office. “Shelly gives so much of herself to help others,” Rhyason said. “She is such a caring and giving person. “Now is a chance for the
community to help back, in the Potters’ time of need. We don’t want to see them lose everything they have worked for.” Rhyason said Shelly had “no clue” that Marvin’s health crisis would cost so much. Before qualifying for the transplant, Marvin had
to spend six weeks in Edmonton for physio preparation in May and June of this year. Marvin was removed from intensive care last Thursday, but remains in hospital. He’s expected to begin a rehab program soon. The rehab program in-
volves sessions every day for the next three months. Shelly plans to stay in Edmonton with Marvin during rehab. Accommodations near the hospital cost a minimum of $2,000 per month. Medication costs are high after such a procedure. Shelly said Marvin is on 25 prescription drugs, with the two most expensive costing $3,000 per month. She said even with health benefits, their cost will still be $1,800 per month on those two drugs, and she’s uncertain how much her benefit plan will cover on the other medications. Luckily, the province provides the anti-rejection drugs. In addition to the medications, pieces of medical equipment are also required for testing blood pressure and temperature, as well as a “spirometer,” a device that when blown into tests lung-performance. Marvin will require medication and testing for the rest of his life to monitor organ rejection and infection, Shelly said. Rhyason said small towns like Stettler are caring communities and she expects that when the community learns of the plight of the Potters, they will respond with help. Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so at the Stettler FCSS office on main street. Cheques can be made payable to the Stettler Community Service Centre and charitabledonation tax receipts are slated to be issued by the end of the year.
Readers can also find the Stettler Independent at stettlerindependent.com