Disease forces family to put their lives on hold

By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer
Published: 12/8/2011 2:26 AM
Last Modified: 12/8/2011 8:45 AM

Richard Scroggins served 15 months in Iraq as a mechanic with the U.S. Army, but it was a field in Wisconsin that left him in a hospital bed for weeks.

Scroggins left the army in 2010 and joined the reserves, and he was training at Fort McCoy in Wisconsin this summer when, unbeknownst to him, he was bitten by a tick.

"I felt fine when I got back," he said.

But soon after he would spend more than a month in and out of the hospital before being diagnosed with Lyme disease.

After a number of misdiagnoses - including meningitis - and failed antibiotics, one of the doctors noticed rashes common to the disease.

Luckily the symptoms hadn't progressed too far, so he's expected to have a full recovery.

His wife, Brittany, was able to work only one day total during those weeks while she was caring for her husband and going to the hospital.

"I almost lost my job because I had to call in so many times," she said. "They've started working me back in with some hours."

Richard Scroggins, who works as a supervisor with a construction company, is also back at work, but nearly two months with no income coming in has left the family in a rough spot.

"We haven't really caught up yet," he said. "The little savings we had is gone because we had to pay for rent, utilities, gas and insurance."

To make matters worse, before he left for the military training he got a speeding ticket in Krebs. He missed the court date because he was in the hospital, and his license was suspended. He ended up getting arrested for driving with a suspended license and had to pay bail and then go to Krebs and prove that he was hospitalized.

Although all the charges were dropped and his license reinstated - after a fee was paid - the speeding ticket ended up costing about $900, he said.

"Everything just snowballed," Brittany Scroggins said. "I'm so thankful that The Salvation Army has been there to help us."

In addition to the utility assistance the family received earlier, the holiday assistance will help provide some gifts for their two children: Nathan, 5, and Harley, 6.

"It's going to be real nice to still have a good Christmas with the kids," she said.

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About the Neediest Families Fund Drive

The Neediest Families Fund Drive was established in 1928 to help Tulsa's poorest families find some peace and comfort for the holidays and the coming year.

This year's goal is to raise $300,000 by Christmas Eve.

In 2010, the fund collected $339,277.

Each Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday through the holiday season, the Tulsa World will spotlight families chosen by The Salvation Army to receive assistance through this year's fund.

None of the money raised is used for administrative costs, and cash is not given directly to the families.

Instead, The Salvation Army issues vouchers for specific needs.

To help families such as the one featured today, send a check or money order to the Neediest Families Fund Drive, in care of the Tulsa World, P.O. Box 21920, Tulsa, OK 74121-1920.

Donations are tax-deductible, and donors can be anonymous.

Original Print Headline: Disease forces family to put lives on hold

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Mike Averill 918-581-8489
mike.averill@tulsaworld.com
By MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writer