Young stroke victim takes one day at a time
Staff writer
Most mornings around 9 a.m. 40-year-old Jeff Christensen takes the first of his two daily walks down the streets of Marion.
Jeff is easy to spot because his gait is unusual. A stroke four years ago at the age of 36 paralyzed the right side of his body. While his recovery is amazing it's still not 100 percent, and the daily walks are part of his therapy.
Armed with a trash bag and accompanied by his pet bichon Spike, Jeff stops whenever he finds a discarded can.
"One day, I just started picking them up," Jeff explained in a slow voice, his speech also affected by the stroke.
"My dad is a runner and he always picks up cans when he runs. So, it was only natural for me to start doing that. It's habit forming."
Most walkers stroll right past the trash, but Jeff has a couple reasons for picking up the cans. For one, it's a way of cleaning up the environment. Secondly, it's a way of making a little extra money. Money that Jeff donates to the Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
Jeff said he doesn't know how long he's been picking up cans — either two or three years — but during that time he's probably collected about $40 to $50 for the church.
"Picking up cans is a slow way to get rich," Jeff said with a smile. "It only pays about 28 cents per pound."
Not one to toot his own horn, Jeff is non-assuming about the whole process. In fact, he's so low key church officials didn't know he was making the donations.
"I had no idea Jeff was doing this," said a surprised John Goering, pastor of Eastmoor UMC. "I guess the money is going directly to the general fund.
"We appreciate his big effort and wholeheartedly support him in whatever he does," Goering said.
Over the years, Jeff said he has picked up hundreds of cans, averaging two to three during every walk. During his two walks, he usually brings home between four to eight cans a day.
However, during certain times of the year, Jeff hits the jackpot.
"The best place to find cans is at Marion Reservoir in the summertime on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday," Jeff said. His parents Jim and Judy Christensen make their home at the reservoir.
"The best time is Memorial Day and Labor Day," he added. The most he ever found at one time was 50 at the reservoir.
During a couple weeks each summer, Jeff has another helper, his nephew 11-year-old Alex Christensen. Alex is the son of Jeff's brother Jay. They make their home in Newton.
"Alex comes over a couple times each month and stays for awhile in the summer," Jeff said. "He usually comes along with me and helps with the cans."
Not only does Jeff pick up cans, he also looks for Marlboro cigarette wrappers. His father sends in the wrappers which are redeemed for pocket knives, watches, and other trinkets.
As for can collecting, Jeff admits it's sometimes a nasty job.
"Sometimes they're filled with chewing tobacco," he said. "I used to chew. I don't do that anymore, or smoke, or drink."
Four years ago Jeff's life wasn't much different than most single guys. He went to work, came home, rested, played, and partied.
Born in Lawrence, Jeff moved to Marion with his parents when he was 14. Graduating from Marion High School, Jeff attended Butler County Community College and studied business administration. He worked as assistant manager at Casey's General Store then took a job at Hoppy Line in Marion.
Then one morning he rolled out of bed — literally — and couldn't get up.
"When I didn't show up for work some of my co-workers came looking for me, luckily," Jeff said slowly.
Jeff's friends came to his home, looked through a window, and saw him lying on his back on the floor.
"I was paralyzed on my right side," Jeff said.
High blood pressure caused the stroke, Jeff said. Now he has to take six or seven pills each day and can no longer chew, smoke, or drink alcohol.
Taken to St. Luke Hospital in Marion, Jeff was soon transferred to St. Francis in Wichita where he spent one month. He then was moved to Wesley Rehabilitation Hospital in Wichita where they re-taught him how to talk and helped him to walk.
"I couldn't hardly move at all on my right side," Jeff said, holding his arm.
Four years later, Jeff still has little control over his right arm from the elbow to the hand. His hand does not function.
However, that could change.
"The psychologist at Wesley said it could just start working again one day," Jeff said. "It might be in four years. It might be in 10 years."
Although Jeff has limitations, he's come a long way from the days immediately following the stroke. He lived with his parents three years, then moved into his own place at September Apartments about a year ago.
He's also mobile. Jeff drives a Ford F-150 pickup that's been specially outfitted. An extension pedal from the accelerator allows him to use his left foot to control the speed rather than the right. A knob attached to the wheel helps him steer.
Although Jeff's life has not turned out as expected, he still maintains a positive outlook. He enjoys watching the Marion Warriors play football, and likes to watch football at Wichita's Coliseum.
And someday he hopes to regain the use of his right arm and obtain a part-time job.
"I get down like everyone else," he said. "But I just take one day at a time."
