MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. — After battling multiple sclerosis for over three decades, a U.S. Navy veteran is continuing to help others from beyond the grave.
As Theresa Kehoe thumbs through pictures of her husband, Gerry, the memories come flooding back.
“He had the most amazing laugh,” Theresa Kehoe said. “He would just laugh, and laugh, and laugh.”
A U.S. Navy veteran, Gerry Kehoe served two tours in Vietnam, before returning home and battling multiple sclerosis for more than 30 years.
“His disability never got him down,” Kehoe said. “Honestly, he was the most generous man I’ve ever met in my life. He didn’t know a stranger. He would help anyone.”
Before passing away in October, Gerry told his wife he had one last wish.
“He wanted his wheelchair van to be donated,” Kehoe said. “He was hoping we could find a veteran to donate it to.”
In an effort to fulfill her husband’s final wish, Theresa reached out to the St. Louis Health Equipment Lending Program to find a veteran in need.
“We had in our database over 200 people who served,” said St. Louis HELP Executive Director Karen Lanter. “I thought, certainly we can!”
After sending out an email blast, St. Louis HELP received 50 responses.
Air Force veteran Keith Carleton, who has struggled with mobility issues after a series of strokes, was one of the first people to respond.
“Right now, we have no way of transporting my electric wheelchair,” Keith Carleton said.
Carleton looked into purchasing a wheelchair accessible van but was unable to afford the cost.
“Something with 250,000 miles on it will go for about $25,000 because it has a wheelchair in it,” Kehoe said.
That’s why Mrs. Kehoe saw fit to deliver her husband’s van to the Carleton’s front door and deliver them the keys, no questions asked.
“It means a great deal,” Carleton said. “There’s still people in this world who are ready to help other people out. I was very thankful to Mrs. Kehoe.”
“I was very proud that we were able to give Jerry his wish,” Kehoe said.
For more information about St. Louis HELP, click here.