The wheels of generosity are turning at Orange hospital following a stroke patient's kind gift.
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Valerie Mellon was so struck by the work of medical and rehabilitation staff and emergency workers she and husband Peter donated four new wheelie walkers to the hospital.
A hospital spokeswoman said the generous gift had a total cost of about $900.
Mrs Mellon was at home in bed in Grenfell at the end of August when her husband couldn't wake her up.
"[He said] I was making gurgling noises in my throat," she said.
"He rang the ambulance and they acted very fast.
The wheelie walkers are just so good and people who don't have any, it's a bit difficult to get around without an aid to assist you.
- Valerie Mellon, patient
"They organised for the helicopter. It lands in the oval at Grenfell.
"They choppered me down to the Royal Prince Alfred hospital in Sydney."
Mrs Mellon said she was seriously affected by the stroke.
"I had my left side affected. I couldn't move," she said.
Mrs Mellon said after her operation her husband was asked whether they wanted rehabilitation in hospital in Canberra or Orange and he chose Orange.
"It's the best decision he's ever made," she said.
Mrs Mellon said she had worked hard to recover with guidance from staff.
"I couldn't pick my hand up any more than eight inches," she said.
"One month later I started on my walking stick and wheelie walker. It's been an absolute godsend. You can get around hanging onto it.
"The wheelie walkers are just so good and people who don't have any, it's a bit difficult to get around without an aid to assist you."
Mrs Mellon said she wanted to give something practical back to the hospital instead of just donating cash which she feared would just end up in a general pool of funds.
"He [Peter] went out and bought four of them to say 'thank you' for all the wonderful care I have received," she said.
Mrs Mellon said she was now looking forward to being able to leave hospital and return home when she was more mobile.
"I'm going to be able to look after myself at home," she said.
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