Photograph courtesy of Frank Ikerd.
One might think the EF-5 tornado that roared through Joplin, Missouri, on May 22 and leveled Frank Ikerd’s O&P facility, would have been devastating to the practitioner.
Ikerd, CPO, however, considers the twister a blessing.
“This as an opportunity to improve our facility and our patient care for the community,” he said. “I’ve designed several office locations within existing office space, so now I literally have a clean slate to design our facility.”
Ikerd said he feels blessed compared to so many in the community because “we still have our homes and didn’t lose loved ones.” Facilities such as Ikerd’s, of course, can be rebuilt. The building that housed his practice, Advanced Orthotics and Prosthetics, and almost everything inside was destroyed.
“When you go to the office and look around, you just don’t know where to start,” he said.
The torrential rain and thunderstorms the next day did little to help matters. “A lot of things that survived were damaged or destroyed by the rain,” said Ikerd, a 15-year Joplin resident.
The good news: none of the four employees in the Joplin office was hurt. Now rebuilding the successful practice, which Ikerd spent a decade developing, begins. He plans to build on the same site but doesn’t have a fund established to help offset costs.
“I’ve never been the type to ask for assistance,” he said. “I hadn’t thought about it because of so many needs in the community.” – Betta Ferrendelli
To make a donation contact Ikerd by e-mail at advanced@cableone.net, or send a letter to his temporary office location: Advanced Orthotics and Prosthetics, 1110 East 7th, Suite 4, Joplin, MO 64801.
