Within minutes of talking to Ronnie Dugger, it’s apparent how much love he has for his son, Jacob.
“He was awesome,” Dugger said.
Jacob was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 1 and always used a wheelchair, but that never stopped him from enjoying life. Dugger said Jacob would frequently “cut up” with people and quote scripture—his kind spirit was never weighed down.
“He was very special,” Dugger said. “One of his friends couldn’t speak and used sign language. Jacob had us buy sign language books for him, and he taught himself sign language so he could talk to his friend.”
In 2013, Jacob died at the age of 30 due to complications from cerebral palsy. In the last week of his life, he willed all his home medical equipment (HME) to those who needed equipment but could not afford it. His giving and compassionate spirit inspired his father and stepmother, Libby, to start the JBD Foundation in 2014 so that Jacob’s legacy could continue to touch those in need.
“He inspired me a lot,” Dugger said, overcome with emotion. “A lot of compassion I have comes from him.”
Since its inception, the JBD Foundation has provided free HME to hundreds of families across Trinity, Alabama, and surrounding areas. Dugger estimates he’s poured more than $50,000 of his own money into the foundation, but he said it’s all worth it to help those in need.
“It was something God put in my heart,” he said. “There was no question from the beginning. I could tell you story after story after story about what God has done through this foundation. My vision and my goal are to help tens of thousands of people. If I had the funding, I wouldn’t turn anybody away.”
Like many who experience grief, Dugger was confused and mad after Jacob’s passing.
“I was angry,” he said. “I questioned … why Jacob? But I know God has a greater plan, and there were a lot of things we did not understand … but through this, Jacob has touched so many lives that otherwise wouldn’t have been touched. There’s a lot of need in this world, and if I can make Jacob proud, that’s all I can do is make the Lord proud and make Jacob proud.”
Dugger has seen firsthand what receiving much-needed HME can do for a person’s life.
“Medical equipment is expensive,” he said. “A lot of times people don’t have insurance and they do without. I’ve talked to people who need shower chairs, and they have to use a kitchen chair to take a shower. There was a gentleman who lost his leg, bedridden. (He) wasn’t able to leave the house, and we were able to bless him with an electric wheelchair.”
The foundation has grown through word of mouth, but Dugger said there are still more people who don’t know about it and its mission. He hopes Jacob’s story and the foundation help people find what they need in life, whether that be medical equipment or inspiration. In the meantime, Duggar said he’ll keep helping anyone who needs HME as long as he’s able.
“I’ll tell you what, there’s a big demand for extra-large equipment,” said Duggar. “There are a lot of extra-large people out there that can’t use regular-size equipment. If the equipment is not donated, it has to come out of their pocket. I do what I can, but I can only do so much, but I don’t regret [any] of it.”
For more information or to donate to the JBD Foundation, visit facebook.com/jbdfoundation.
Michelle Love is associate editor for HomeCare Media.