Michael Ruff

Wilkes County residents know and love Michael Ruff! He served many of us over the years at Huddle House and Jockey Club and always greeted you with a smile and called you by name. Michael lived with his mother until her passing in 2011 and has since lived alone in town. Due to complications from diabetes he has not been able to work and has been denied disability and Medicaid twice. His health issues escalated in the fall of 2017 which resulted in Michael being permanently, legally blind. His church family has been caring for him in our homes since he was released from the hospital Nov. 3. Michael will be returning to his apartment the first week of January with the support of friends, family, his church and our community.

There are a variety of ways you can help Michael live independently until the support services he desperately needs are in place. We need volunteers to sign up to go and check on him in the mornings and evenings. This involves helping him to check his blood glucose level and making sure he takes his insulin. We need resources to help cover the costs of Meals-on-Wheels, living expenses and medications. And we need volunteers to take him to and from appointments to see physicians. 

Michael loves Washington and is an important part of our community.  Please prayerfully consider joining “Michael’s Team” !

Update 3/28/18...
Michael has his disability hearing on April 25th in Athens and he will be accompanied by Becky Stover... along with all the documentation and support letters requested. Pray for this 3rd request for disability to be granted so that Michael will have the support he needs moving forward. 
Thank you for your recent contributions to help provide home-health services and meals-on-wheels during March and April. All funds are being deposited into an account at First Baptist Church of Washington, GA under the supervision of Pastor Kevin Madden and Becky Stover who are currently coordinating Michael's care.