Veteran Enjoys Newfound Comfort and Mobility

Right at Home Northwest Oklahoma City owner Greg Self shares a compelling story of compassion, care, and success in supporting local Vietnam War Veteran Bob Alexander.

“I met Bob at Hefner Mansions in the late summer of 2019. My daughter and I were kicking off our new “Shared Care Program” by sponsoring a cookout featuring hamburgers and hot dogs.” Greg said. “I was working the grill and had brought along an ice chest filled with cold adult beverages. Bob rolled himself out in his wheelchair to the garden area of Hefner Mansions and introduced himself. He requested a cold beverage, and as we cooked and had a few beers together, Bob started sharing his story.”

Bob is a Navy Vietnam veteran who spent most of his time on River Patrol Boats on the Mekong River. After serving our country, he returned home, got married, and became a fireman for the Oklahoma City Fire Department. Alongside his firefighting duties, Bob worked as a part-time traveling auditor for none other than TG&Y. He retired from the fire department in the late 1990s.

“Over the years, my involvement at Hefner Mansion has included helping residents, calling BINGO, hosting cookouts, and celebrating holidays like Christmas and Halloween.” Greg said. “Of course, Bob and I always enjoyed a cold beer together during our monthly happy hour. Our conversations and bantering have always been a highlight for me, especially hearing about his weekly poker game with his buddies.”

Greg continued, “At the end of last year, I became concerned about Bob's health and realized he might need a little extra help. We started with a once-a-week apartment cleaning and wellness check until his VA Home Health Aid Benefits kicked in. Now, our caregiver visits a few times a week to help Bob with various chores.”

Bob presented with foot and walking challenges, and Right at Home Northwest Oklahoma City took it upon themselves to help Bob reach out to the VA for support, and ultimately to Compton Orthopedic Services, a proven local firm and a leader in making custom orthotics and custom shoes.

Greg says, “I still get to pop in for social visits whenever I want. Bob continues to share good stories about his weekly card game, including his wins and mostly losses. He laughs and says the cooking is good and the game is fun! We love supporting Bob and making his life more comfortable and enjoyable.”

Personalized In-Home Care Wherever You Call Home

Senior client Bob Alexander shares how much Right at Home has meant for him. Bob currently lives in an assisted living community after he had a couple of strokes. Right at Home owner Greg Self personally helped Bob work with the VA and a local custom orthotics company to tackle some critical mobility challenges. His Right at Home Caregivers have stepped up to help Bob live as independently as possible, with the dignity and respect he deserves.<\p>

Custom Orthotics and Mobility

Harlon Compton of Compton Orthopedic Service was the first Oklahoman to become a Board Certified Pedorthist in 1973. He completed molded shoe-making studies in 1984 and has been fitting and making shoes since 1970 to the present time. He was the first Pedorthist to put on shoes under the TSB (Therapeutic Shoe Bill) in Oklahoma starting in May 1993.

Mr. Compton literally developed the first Associate Degree in Pedorthic Care in the nation at OSU-Okmulgee. He is on several boards that are trying to improve Pedorthic Care and patient service.

Compton Orthopedic Service offers a broad array of services geared to address today’s most common foot problems and deformities. We know there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach, so we never use a one-size-fits-all approach for your care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Like Right at Home’s mission, Compton’s goal is to improve and maintain you or your loved one’s desired lifestyle, and to empower clients with an understanding of their condition and wellness plan.

When should people come into Compton’s Ortho for help? — Visit with your care providers, family, and caregiver agency. When someone is having foot problems, when their feet hurt, when they are tired – that’s a good time to start assessing potential needs. Additionally, if under Diabetes Care it is always a good time to pay a lot of attention to your feet and maintain as much mobility as possible.

Most common issues they see in today’s feet? There is a lot of Diabetic foot care challenges from neuropathy, many arthritic conditions. Others include sharko foot, braking down, a foot with a nice arch, but the ligaments holding the bones together begin to deteriorate. Ligaments holding bones together start moving around, so there is a high risk when they start moving down the skin thins, and they get an ulceration. There are many issues when it comes to a body part with the complexity of feet.

What kind of shoe modifications can be done? — There are quite a few leg discrepancies with people who’ve have had hip surgery or knee replacement. Shoes are then built up for a level, matching gate. To build shoes up, the soles are cut, then built up and put back together with an eye toward keeping an appealing appearance.

Is there support to cover the costs of custom shoes? — Honestly, this is too personalized and complex to make a claim of financial support. It really hinges on each person’s needs, their financial circumstances, medical coverages both private and public, and more. Talk with your care providers, family, and caregiver agency to research how you can get help.

Are Veterans served at Compton Orthopedic Services? — Harlon Compton says, “We have helped thousands of veterans, with a chuckle, a whole bunch of veterans; hundreds of veterans! We have a great relationship with the VA hospital. They send people in all the time. We help the VA understand some of the foot conditions. Like all clients, when Veterans come in, we do a full assessment including a full peripheral neuropathy check to see how much feeling in their feet they have. Whatever we see during that assessment, we bring that to the client’s attention and the let the VA know that they should re-look at the issue(s).

What is the Process for veteran looking for shoes? — Generally the VA will provide two pairs of shoes per year, plus inserts. Veterans must go up to the Orthopedic Nurse Practitioner (ONP) Department or have their VA Primary Care Physician write a prescription. Some doctors are hesitant to write a prescription, but the ONP will work with the doctor on why the shoes are needed and how the prescription will help his or her patient’s health.

Specialty Care Dedicated to Veterans

Right at Home Northwest Oklahoma City's Care Team provides veterans in-home care with the highest standards of care and the deepest compassion. You were there for us when we needed you, now let us be there for you. Plan and live your future with the dignity and respect you deserve!