Helping Others Helps His Pain
It’s the pain that drives Ben Keeley.
It comes from a degenerating spine. In a roundabout way, it’s that injury that has put him back to work. And it’s work that helps him handle the pain.
“I just can’t figure out how to get more people in here,” he says, slapping his gray metal desktop.
Ben is Kootenai County’s veterans’ service officer. He has one goal in life: to help veterans and their families get the benefits they earned.
“I don’t know why I’m eaten up with helping people,” he says, shaking his head. “I’m consumed by it, I guess because of my pain.”
Ben served his time in Vietnam with the Army. He came home in 1968 to an Army desk job and was trained to work in personnel. During a move eight years later, a thousand-pound safe crushed him. The accident created health problems that eventually bumped him from the military.
He bounced in and out of hospitals, underwent scads of tests and three back operations. Now, medication and his iron will keep him standing straight.
Getting veterans benefits was no problem for Ben. But he learned a lot about the system that frustrates so many others.
Since 1986, he’s helped North Idaho veterans on his own. When Kootenai County hired him last November, veterans groups cheered: Finally, someone who would listen.
Ben cares so much about other veterans. His doctor says that’s due to emotional stress from his wartime experiences. Ben doesn’t buy that. His family and his work are his life.
“I don’t care if I’m inundated with people. I have a genuine care,” he says. “And staying busy is my way of dealing with pain.”
Veterans: Make Ben’s day. Call him at 769-4427.
Legs of Steel
Burdened by post-holiday fat? Make your body and the local weather work for you. Learn to cross-country ski with the Post Falls Park and Rec Department.
Save gas. Ski to work, school, church. The four-week clinic is $40 and will cover of the equipment, clothing and technique. The first class meets Saturday at Post Falls City Hall at 9 a.m. Rec director Lance Bridges says snow or not, the class will go.
Do Your Duty
I’ve never seen a sadder bunch than the prospective jurors seated with me in 1st District Court’s Courtroom 5 four days before Christmas.
It was one woman’s day off from work. She wanted to go shopping, not dispense justice.
Harry Reed, the bailiff, knew what to expect. “I won’t even ask who’s happy to be here,” he said, surveying the lugubrious group.
One man opted out as soon as he found out people over 70 don’t have to serve. “I have guests arriving today,” he said, winning death-stares from other jurors.
All that agony was short-lived. Disputing parties reached a settlement. No jury was needed after all. Everyone walked out smiling and saying things like “It would have been fun” and “Maybe next time.”
Just Like Glass
The challenge is in. Scott Reed says no place, even Fernan Lake, can beat Cougar Bay right now for ice skating. He used words like “glorious” and “shimmering” to describe the four-inch thick ice.
Since New Year’s Day, Scott has laced on his skates sometimes twice a day, admitting he can’t pass up slicing across ice sparkling in the sunshine.
Where are North Idaho’s best spots for sledding and skating - the free winter sports? Don’t be stingy. Send directions to Cynthia Taggart, “Close to Home,” 608 Northwest Blvd., Suite 200, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, 83814; FAX to 765-7149; or call 765-7128.