Vendor Writing: A Volunteer Spotlight With A Twist

A Volunteer Spotlight With A Twist

BY NORMA B., CONTRIBUTOR VENDOR

Regular readers of The Contributor may be familiar with the Volunteer Spotlights that I write. Well, here’s one with a twist. You see, the person featured in this article is not a Contributor Volunteer. Instead, he volunteers at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn. Meet Rick Hunt, aka Rick the Elevator Guy. Keep reading. The moniker will be explained and I promise you’ll see what makes him so unique!

Rick grew up in Maryland in a lower/middle class family. He writes, “We didn’t have much, but we were happy.” From his youth on, he experienced social anxiety that ultimately led to panic attacks, a condition that runs in the family.

In spite of that, he proudly served his country in the Air Force from 1973-1977, working as a Crew Chief on F-4 Phantom Jet Fighters. While there, he had some wild and crazy times to be sure, but he’s quick to point out it was the ’70s!

After he got back home, he worked at several golf courses where he developed a love of the game. It was an activity he could do without being around a lot of people.

He visited a few horse racing tracks along the way and soon found he also enjoyed playing the horses — another activity that didn’t require him to be around big crowds.

He met a nice girl in 1979, and after four years together they decided to take the next logical steps in their relationship — marriage, buying a home, and starting a family.

Their son Kevin was born in 1986 and their daughter Kelly came along two years later in 1988. Rick told me that he’s never experienced a love like that. (Speaking as a parent myself, I’m certain that love has continues to grow to this day!)

When the kids were seven and nine Rick's life took an unexpected turn when his wife decided to move out. She eventually married her boss. Meanwhile, Rick kept the house and the kids. Rick was quick to point out she wasn’t a bad person, they were just walking down two different roads in life. He even commended her indicating she paid all her child support. He was a single dad for 10 years!

It was during this difficult time, as he learned about being a good single dad, that he reestablished his relationship with God. He’d always had one, but it had taken a back seat until now.

He found himself in uncharted territory, knowing he could not do everything alone and he needed help that only God could provide so he turned his life over to the Lord. He got on his knees looking for guidance, direction, and a measure of peace.

Since that time he’s ultimately lived the words of Proverbs 3:5-6, “ Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding, in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your path straight.” (One of his favorite Bible verses.)

That “path ” led him to work for a phone company in Maryland (known today as Verizon), where he remained for 33 years!

Though he was raised Catholic, Rick began attending the Church of the Redeemer in Gaithersburg, Md., It was there he found great preaching, wonderful praise and worship.

He met a pretty Christian girl there, Elaine. She too had been through a divorce. They dated for two years and got married. They continued growing closer together as a couple, and to God. Having both been thr ough a divorce, they decided to volunteer to teach a class at church through DivorceCare. org

This was not an easy task for them. They were both quiet people who really didn’t like being in front of people, but they felt that “God could use them there.” They continued that work for five years.

After being married for just five years, Rick developed tongue cancer even though he’d never smoked. How did that happen?

According to doctors at Johns Hopkins in Maryland, the HPV virus had been dormant in his body for as many as 10-15 years, ultimately causing his cancer, with no signs and symptoms. He had no idea!

Treatment involved chemo and 35 radiation treatments in 2010. Rick said, “During those initial cancer treatments, we knew God could use us like He did after our divorces, teaching the classes and sharing with others about how Christ had worked in our lives.” So they prayed, “Lord, if we have to do cancer treatments, PLEASE USE US LORD to share with nurses, people cleaning floors, other patients, because this is all about you, Lord.”

2011 was supposed to be Rick’s rebuilding year. Now back at work full time he was looking good and feeling good. That is until he went back to Baltimore for his final check-up. He went there thinking, I’m done with this, one last visit and I’m out of here. FINALLY!

However, that’s not what happened.

Instead, he was told his cancer had returned and he needed surgery. He was stunned! They said they would need to remove his tongue and his voice box. He said, “I thought I will never be able to speak again, or eat food? ” He indicated that makes the holidays a particularly hard time of year. (That’s how long I’ve been trying to convince him to let me tell his story, because I AM CERTAIN it’ll benefit ANYONE who takes time to read it!)

As if that’s not bad enough, it was then that he heard something he thought he’d never hear, ‘‘You may need hospice.”

He said he and his wife went home to think about it and pray about it. One day, while Elaine was at work, he sat on the sofa praying and just talking with God. He said, “Okay, Lord, whatever your will is, I'm ready. If you are ready to bring me home, I’m excited, and a big part of me is ready. Lord, I give you my two kids. They are your children. I trust that you will watch over them.” He indicated that he actually had peace moving forward after that.

In 2012 they did remove his tongue and voice box. He can no longer speak or eat solid food. (Those happen to be two of my favorite activities, and honestly I’m not sure I’d be SO understanding, and I’ve always thought I had a strong faith.)

He cannot breathe from his nose or mouth, and he has a hole in his neck. As a result, he has to place food in a Vita-Mix blender, add water, and mix to drink his meals.

In one of our many conversations trying to convince him to allow me to do this article, I asked him if anyone had anything “special” for him after they learned about his story. He nodded yes and rolled up his sleeve to reveal two tattoos on his left arm. One says “Neck Breather,” and the other simply says, “Can’t Speak.” He told me they serve as his “medical alert bracelet.” I told him that was a GREAT idea, GENIUS! He smiled and wrote back, “I can’t lose them! ”

For the last 10 years although he has not said a word, the impact he’s had on those he meets is immeasurable!

Dealing with his new reality, he wrote, “I remember asking God how can you use me if I can no longer speak? Th at's when God quietly said, ‘ Trust me’, so I did.” Though, he admits it took some time to adjust.

Rick and Elaine, now his wife of 18 years, moved to Mt. Juliet in 2013, and for the last three years he has been known to locals around here as ‘Rick, The Elevator Guy’ at Summit Hospital in Hermitage, Tn. That’s where I met him.

One day, after yet another disappointing doctors visit, I wasn’t in the best mood. I was feeling sorry for myself, wallowing in self-pity. That is until Rick cheerfully greeted me as he does more than 100 patients each day as they enter and exit the facility, helping individuals on and off the elevator (hence the nickname). But trust me when I say, HE DOES SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT for the people he serves!

Here are just a few examples:

Rick helps EVERYONE get to where they’ve got to go, whether it’s finding loved ones in the ICU, transporting others from the lobby to their appointments or to the ER, making sure wheelchairs are available for ALL who need them. He even takes time to visit patients undergoing chemo trying to encourage them and make them smile. Something else folks may not know is that he often prays for them as he goes along!

In case you need proof of his level of activity, his phone app said he’d walked 63 miles in January while he was on duty! Needless to say, he STAYS busy!

As I prepared to leave on that first day we met, now with a smile on my face, I noticed a sign that a patient had made for him that explained his condition. (I have to admit, I’d always wondered, but thought it’d be rude to ask.)

So even though he hasn’t said a word in 10 years, believe me when I say, he is living proof, that ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS EVER COULD!

Other patients have also taken note of all he does to help people, and he continues to inspire them. Even the hospital recognizes what a treasure they have. They gave him a well-deserved Humanitarian Award in recognition of his service!

In case you’re wondering how he communicates with people since he doesn’t speak, he expressed to me that he doesn’t know sign language. He uses a pen and paper to convey his thoughts. Definitely old school, but effective. I’ve also discovered he’s pretty good at texting!

I asked how he summons the courage and strength needed to do all that he does. He responded, “ Everyday I wake up, I have a short prayer, ‘Father please pour your love all over me today, and use me Lord to share that love with others.’ ”

To some, that may sound simple, but remember, this is a guy who has social anxiety and panic attacks and doesn’t typically like being around people. He admitted at times it’s STILL difficult to do.

In spite of that fact, he wants everyone to know that everything he does is to bring honor to his Heavenly Father.

For me, I think it can be summed up nicely using Philippians 4:13, “[He does] ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens [him].”

Now approaching 70, Rick acknowledged he’s had some difficult challenges and heavy burdens to carry in his life. He let me know he still does, especially in regard to his health, which could possibly lead to taking some time off from his volunteering duties.

I asked if he planned to return to his post not if but when he recovers. He nodded yes, and pointed heavenward, which prompted me to ask, “God willing? ” He nodded yes, and smiled.

He’s always quick to point out that, “GOD has used ALL HIS STRUGGLES to draw me closer to HIM.”

Even after everything he’s endured, he’s aware that someone ALWAYS has it worse. I agree. My mom always used to say the same thing! I asked if there were any other benefits to having such a strong, unwavering faith. He wrote, “ I have real peace. Only GOD can do that! ”

The end result? He continued, “ Elaine and I have a simple life. We are content, and don't need much to be happy.”

After EVERYTHING he’s been through, he concluded with this thought, “ It’s been an INTERESTING JOURNEY! ”

As always when writing stories like this, I ask the readers of The Contributor to offer up prayers in his behalf. After all, you can NEVER get too many of those!

So if you’re ever in the area, or if you just want to meet Rick for yourself, rest assured, you’ll be warmly welcomed anytime he’s on duty, and if you do, I promise you’ll leave encouraged!

Just remember: Even though he doesn’t communicate verbally, there’s no need to speak up, he can hear you just fine!