Invalid Nearly Loses Life Support Doctor Intervenes After Wwp Threatens To Cut Off Power To Woman Who Depends On Oxygen Machine

A last-minute call from a doctor’s office rescued a Spokane woman from getting her power - and life-support system - cut off.

Marilyn Franck, 57, cried Wednesday morning as she inhaled oxygen through nasal tubes and stared at a shut-off notice from Washington Water Power Co.

From WWP’s vantage, the warning was a “prudent” means of dealing with a delinquent ratepayer.

To Franck, it read like a death sentence.

The notice stated that unless she paid WWP $104.87 by 5 p.m. Wednesday, the company would disconnect power to the tidy home at 2310 E. Boone she shares with her 16-year-old granddaughter and a kitten.

“I don’t think it’s right,” Franck said between sobs. She said she needs the bedside oxygen machine all night and often during the day. “I’ve got a little portable one, but that only lasts three hours.”

Still recovering from heart surgery last March, Franck said her monthly income consists of about $500 from Social Security and welfare checks.

The electricity bill hasn’t been getting paid. The WWP notice says she is $339.51 behind in power payments, with a minimum of $104.87 due.

Franck said she repeatedly has told WWP about her predicament. “They know and they just don’t care,” she said, breaking down again.

Mark Schaffner, WWP’s customer service manager, said Franck’s life-support needs were considered before the notice was delivered Tuesday.

He said company officials have worked with Franck for months to help her cover bills and develop a payment plan.

“We were at a point that it was getting very difficult to keep the arrangements in place,” Schaffner said. “We feel as though in this case it was prudent to consider an interruption of service.”

Schaffner said it is rare that WWP cuts power to someone on a life-support machine, but he noted all customers must essentially be treated the same.

He didn’t know why utility officials hadn’t communicated with Spokane Neighborhood Action Programs to find a solution Wednesday.

SNAP runs an emergency fund collected in part by area utilities - to help the poor pay power bills.

At noon, Franck called WWP again to plead for more time. She said she talked to “Judy,” who wouldn’t give her last name. She waited on hold for five minutes and grew exasperated. “Come on people. My God!”

Franck was later told her doctor’s office called WWP, and the shut-off would be delayed. She looked more exhausted than relieved.

“She definitely needs the oxygen,” said Gary Knox, Franck’s doctor. “She would have more risk of problems with her heart if she was off it.”

WWP gave Franck a couple days to find the money.

“I don’t know where I’m going to get it,” Franck said. She has a son and daughter, but both are broke, she said.

Later that afternoon, Franck was urged to call SNAP.

The agency, which has already helped her several times this year, agreed to do it again - even though SNAP’s emergency fund is low.

“We won’t let her get shut off,” said Julie Pickerel, SNAP’s director of community relations. “We will make sure she doesn’t lose her life-support system.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo