Almost three years ago, when White’s Ferry shut down, few could have seen how it would impact the lives of residents in the western part of Montgomery County. For many, access to their usual healthcare became difficult. A visit to their Leesburg physician became a road trip instead of five-minute ferry ride. For months when residents dialed 911, the calls were answered on the other side of the river. But perhaps no family’s fortunes fell more at risk than the Paksima family. For them, life literally hung in the balance.
In the months following his liver transplant, Shahrom Paksima has begun dialysis. He has physical therapy twice a week. And now he waits for his body to be strong enough to handle his next medical challenge – a kidney transplant.
And for the residents in the western part of the county, no solutions to their continuing healthcare desert seem to be coming.
