A Western Kentucky Mom Fights To Keep Wandering Loved Ones Safe
I remember getting a call from my mother about 2am in the morning. When I heard the that incoming call, I knew something was wrong. It was. My grandmother, who was deep in the throws of Alzheimer's Disease, had disappeared from her Philpot, Kentucky home in the middle of the night. My grandfather, who was doing his best to care for her, had no idea what time she left or where she had gone. Luckily, their vehicles were in the garage, so he knew she was on foot. And, thankfully, she didn't get too far. All thanks go to a barbed wire fence she try to crawl through. She got stuck in it. That slowed her progress enough for the make-shift search crew of neighbors to find her.
Project Lifesaver is a national organization that understands that patients with Alzheimer's, as well as dementia, autism, and other related challenges, can be flight risks. Their mission is simple- to prevent that from happening and keep loved ones safe and at home.
Magan Millsaps hails from Ohio County, Kentucky, where a new chapter of Project Lifesaver is just a couple of months away. Magan, whose son Hayes has autism, is all too familiar with the dangers of 'eloping.' See, Hayes, who according to Magan has no sense of 'stranger danger' and would not be able to verbally communicate important information if he ever got lost, needed something, anything to keep him grounded and safe. So, Magan began researching location devices that she could place on him in the event he wandered away during school.
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During that research, she discovered the website for Project Lifesaver. She did a quick search of zip codes to see what counties offered the program. While several surrounding counties were listed, Ohio County was not. So, Magan enlisted the assistance of various county officials (specifically Ohio County Emergency Management Director Charlie Shields) and went to work immediately. Magan says, "As soon as Charlie looked into it, he was immediately on board." In just two short months, Project Lifesaver was full steam ahead.
Project Lifesaver
Here's how the program works. Project Lifesaver participants "wear a small transmitter, and when a loved one is reported missing, trained local responders can use specialized equipment to locate them, often within minutes, significantly reducing risk and saving lives."
Ohio County Fiscal Court approved the funding for the startup costs of the equipment and the initial first responder training, which is expected to occur in February. Magan adds, "We are now working to get funding for transmitters." Each costs $385 and comes with a 3-year warranty and a year-supply of batteries and bands. The ultimate goal is to have all of the transmitters in Ohio County funded by donations and grants.
Magan says, "We see this as an opportunity to both educate families who may benefit from the program and help the broader community understand how it enhances public safety for everyone." She adds, "Having my son has really taught me how to be a voice of advocacy for him and for others who aren’t able to be voices for themselves."
Project Lifesaver Ohio County is expected to officially launch on March 1st. If you'd like to donate, you can do so via cash or check. Checks should be made out to Ohio County Resources- Project Lifesaver and mailed to: Ohio County Treasurer, 130 E. Washington Street, Suite 215, Hartford, Kentucky 42347.