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Community comes together to help local mother walk again

39 views · Published 28 September 2016 · 3:56 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: LOCAL 12 · 2016 · News & Politics

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CINCINNATI (WKRC) - On Saturday, September 24, a local community will hold a benefit to raise money for a chair.

It’s a very special chair called a Trackmaster and for Ann Miller, it's a chair that will let her walk again.

To get a clear picture of Miller's world just look into Alanna's eyes; the daughter she gave birth to ten years ago. Her mom doesn't see her the same way everyone else does.

“When I look at people I see top portion, I see your forehead and eyes, the rest I don't see,” said Ann.

Two weeks after giving birth Ann’s husband, Rick, found her unconscious in the bathtub after what appeared to be a stroke. Instead it was something they'd never heard of.

PRES (Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome) looks and acts like a stroke but treated differently; diagnosis was crucial and before she was transferred here to University Hospital, Rick was given little hope. But the Rising Sun police officer and former EMT asked for a second opinion and while Ann was in an induced coma for weeks, he hoped for a second chance.

“I wasn't able to take care of new baby, couldn't walk, I had to re-learn to do everything,” said Ann.

Ten year later, Ann was still learning. Short term memory is sometimes nonexistent and walking is still out of the question. Enter Travis Underwood, a former coast guard veteran who wanted to create second chances for wounded veterans with the Trackman.

If it works for veterans Travis said, “Changing the dynamic day to day life without sitting in the house and watching everyone else.”

So Travis provided a loaner for the family's trip back to Ann's hometown in Mississippi where she hit the beach and the fishing pier; memories that still bring tears. And it was ten years coming for a daughter who just wanted to walk with her mom.

But Trackmasters must be specially fit to each patient. Ann's chair would likely cost a minimum of $15,000, a heavy price tag for something invaluable like a second chance.

There is a bill before Congress to approve the wheelchairs for insurance coverage to make them affordable to those who truly need them.

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