Football greats help out 'The Fridge' 6/18/2009 12:00 AM
By DAN POMPEI Chicago Tribune (MCT)
It was Mike Ditka who turned William "Refrigerator" Perry into an international celebrity and Chicago folk hero.
And it is Mike Ditka who is helping Perry, 46, literally get back on his feet and walk again.
The coach who put the rookie defensive tackle in the Bears' backfield in 1985 has taken an active role in getting the Fridge the medical care he needs in his continuing battle with Guillain Barre Syndrome and CIDP, an offshoot of the disease that affects the nervous system.
After a stay of nearly six weeks in Aiken Regional Medical Centers, the fromer Aiken High School and Clemson University star needed to be transferred to a rehabilitation center last week to continue his therapy. But he didn't have the money or insurance to pay for it.
After losing more than 150 pounds, Perry needed therapy to help his motor skills, hearing and speech. He also needed help walking again.
"William's problems are multiple," Ditka said. "It's not just one thing. I went out there to that autograph show in Rosemont (Feb. 26). He must have lost a hundred pounds. That's like throwing a deck chair off the Titanic, but still, it's a lot of weight."
In stepped Ditka and Gridiron Greats, the organization that helps former NFL players in need of medical assistance. Ditka and Ken Valdiserri, the former Bears executive who recently was hired to be president of the charity, tried to get Perry transferred to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.
"Mike was very influential," Valdiserri said. "He spent an hour and a half on a conference call one day. He wanted to make sure William was helped."
Valdiserri said the organization couldn't raise the funds it would have taken to treat Perry in Chicago. But James Sliwa, the chief medical officer at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, set up an arrangement with Carolinas Rehabilitation in which Perry would be treated without charge.
Perry's brother Michael Dean Perry, who also played in the NFL, and sister Patsy have been helping their brother through the process, even going through his therapy exercises with him.
"He feels very indebted to Mike Ditka, Ken Valdiserri, his family, his Clemson family, his fans and everyone who has tried to step up and assist," said Michael Dean Perry, who helped start a fundraising campaign for his brother at www.fridgefund.homestead.com. "He's very appreciative. He's taking baby steps, but he's getting better each and every day."
William Perry has been in the rehabilitation facility for three weeks and is expected to remain there for another three to four weeks, according to Valdiserri.
"He has been very ill," Ditka said. "They think they can control some of it. We tried to bring him up here, but it was cost-prohibitive. We don't have that money. Evidently these people are willing to give it to him down there and they are giving it to him. They'll try to address what is affecting his nervous system. But he has to understand he has a problem."
Ditka has been involved with helping many former players through Gridiron Greats, but he acknowledged when Perry needed help, it hit close to home.
"It is ironic," he said. "But it wouldn't matter if it were anybody else, any of my other players, any of the players I played with or against. Whether it's Willie Wood or Joe Perry in a nursing home or Jim Ringo who has Alzheimer's, Pete Pihos who was one of my childhood heroes. I can go on and on. There are a lot of guys with problems. There should be some kind of a medical program to help these guys once they are out of football."
Valdiserri said last year Gridiron Greats contributed $600,000 in cash and another $1 million in services to retired players who could not afford medical care. The organization is footing some of Perry's personal bills.
Gridiron Greats had a somewhat contentious relationship with the NFL Players Association before executive director Gene Upshaw passed away last year. The organization, which recently moved to Northbrook, is hoping to work closer with the union and recently reached out to new executive director DeMaurice Smith.
"We're not trying to ruffle any feathers or (anger) anybody," Ditka said. "All we're trying to say is let's right some of the wrongs, let's take care of some of the guys who need help like William."
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Comment Title: No Disrespect but...
They need help with medical expenses? He must have made a lot of money and Michael Dean too. Isn't there an NFL pension that is huge? Or insurance?
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Posted by: Brad Cooler On: Friday, June 19, 2009 1:50 PM
Comment Title: Ditka!
Ditka is an inspiration for coaches everywhere. This man is phenomenal on and off the field. His genuine personality and care for his players is obvious. The man is a true legend. I do not know when he finds the time to do anything of self interest. Not saying he doesnt enjoy what he does now but just leisure time. I did hear about him playing in a poker tournament this fall with other sports figures. That should be fun...and a well deserved get-away!
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Posted by: On: Friday, June 19, 2009 7:19 AM
Comment Title: Fridge Fund Website
The website address is actually www.fridgefund.com if you want to make a donation.
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