Advertiser Christmas Fund
Disabled man seeks way to beat heat

By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer

"It frustrates me when I do basic little things," said T.H., who suffered a broken neck in an auto collision in July 1969 that killed his brother.

"I can pull up my pants but it doesn't go up right," he said. "When I reach up or down for something, I don't have the power in my hands to hang on to it. I try to use two hands, but sometimes the item falls and I have to try to pick it up, which is just as hard."

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	Honolulu, HI 96817
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"It's important for me to try and do things for myself," he said. "That way I don't feel helpless."

In November 2000, T.H. moved out of a public housing complex and into an apartment that had accommodations for disabled needs. The apartment in Pearl City, however, is humid all day.

T.H., who suffers from asthma, has a low tolerance for heat and perspires a lot. Heat exhaustion makes him uncomfortable, stressed and irritable.

T.H. would like an air conditioner for his apartment. "Heat really weakens me," he said. "A few weeks ago, a fan in my bedroom broke. It's really uncomfortable, even at night."

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