Groves man's wish granted with a scenic helicopter tour over Southeast Texas
 

VIDEO: Groves man's wish granted with a scenic helicopter tour over Southeast Texas
By PAUL S. MARTINEZ, The Enterprise
12/10/2007
Updated 12/10/2007 12:01:32 AM CST

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Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise
Friends and family watch on as George Fischer settles into an Air Rescue helicopter on Sunday. Fischer, who suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease, rode in the helicopter as part of a Make-A-Wish Foundation project.


GROVES - Stricken by Lou Gehrig's disease, George Fischer lost the use of his extremities eight months ago, but he didn't lose sight of his dreams - to fly in a helicopter and to sky dive.

One of his dreams came true on Sunday, and it wasn't parachuting.

"I think we can rule that one out," Fischer said with a smile peering through his well-trimmed grey beard as he lay on a stretcher.

With about 60 family members and friends on hand, Fischer took a helicopter tour of the rivers and bayous that he fished and frogged all his life growing up Groves.

"I had no idea where they were taking me when I left the nursing home," the 1955 Port Neches-Groves High School graduate said.

The flight was a surprise early birthday present for Fischer, who turns 60 on Wednesday.

StatCare EMS made the trip happen within one-week's notice, Fischer's wife, Vivian, said.


"We got a call about a man with Lou Gehrig's disease who had always dreamed of flying in a helicopter and sky diving," StatCare EMS President Rod Carroll said. "We couldn't anything about the skydiving, but we could get a helicopter."

"This close to the holidays, this is something nice we could do," Carroll added.

Fischer was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) eight years ago.

The incurable, progressive disease attacks the central nervous system, rendering the patient unable to control their muscles, according to the Web site WebMD.com.

Most people diagnosed with the disease die within three to five years. Only 10 percent survive 10 or more years, as the disease causes severe atrophy, the Web site stated.

Before the disease, Fischer, a former landscaper, was described as an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing, frogging, hunting and cooking for his large family.

With no children of his own, Fischer took in his stepson, Andrew Carter, a nephew, Kevin Fischer, and the neighbor's son from across the street, teaching them to hunt and fish and instilling "old school" character traits.

"Honesty and hard work - lots of hard work," were the traits Kevin Fischer, 28, learn from his uncle, he said.

The statement caused tears to turn to laugher as The Enterprise talked to a group of Fischer's family while he was in the air.

"He was old school," Fischer's sister, Tootie, chimed in. "You do it right the first time, and if you make a mistake, you own up to it - that's what he believed in."

In addition to not losing sight of his dreams, he hasn't lost what he loves to do.

Once a week, Fischer dictates a shopping list and directs the kitchen at Magnolia Manor, preparing a three-course meal for the 60-plus residences at the Groves' nursing home.

"We do it every Thursday. I make up a list, they go to Wal-Mart and we tear it up," he said with a smile.

paulsmartinez@beaumontenterprise.com
(409) 880-0737

http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/si...d=512588&rfi=6