Savannah, Georgia 1966
Ronald belonged to a family of twelve. They lived on a plantation in almost slave-like conditions. Ronald had fallen from a tobacco barn one year earlier and had broken his back. At the time of the accident, one of the priests took Ronald to the University hospital and paid the bill since the family did not have insurance and were paid slave-like wages. The priest visited Ronald often, until one day the plantation owner ran him off and would not allow him to return.
The NAACP moved the family to Savannah and Jerry was asked to take care of Ronald. One night, Jerry received a call that Ronald was very ill. When Jerry arrived, he found that Ronald had a high temperature, urinary tract infection, and septicemia. Jerry immediately called some of his doctor friends since he did not have staff privileges at any of the city hospitals. Each doctor gave an excuse why they would not accept Ronald as a patient.
With tears in his eyes, Jerry asked God to help him. Jerry promised that if God would help him, he would not go into private practice, but would serve the poor instead. Jerry marched out of the phone booth, picked up Ronald, put him in his car and drove to the hospital. Jerry carried Ronald into the emergency room and promised to pay the bill. They found a doctor for Ronald.
Comments