Before he moved to Methodist Specialty Care Center in Flowood, quadriplegic Rickey Starks had to rely on others to answer the phone, turn on the TV or play a DVD.
Now he can do all three – hands-free. By sipping and puffing on a special straw, the 26-year-old is able to operate an environmental control unit that is mounted on his power wheelchair. It’s one of many adaptive services available at Mississippi’s first residential facility designed for younger people with severe disabilities.
“It means a lot,” Starks says of his new independence. “It’s hard to wait on someone else to do those things.”
