Helping Hands

Michael & Son is back this weekend with another episode of Helping Hands. This week, we meet a family in the making and a couple whose strong bond of over 40 years carried them through an unimaginable tragedy. On a rainy night in Madonna Maryland, Delano Draine was making his way home to his wife. Delano was full of optimism; he was 6 days from retirement and ready for some long overdue relaxation. A hard working man since a young age, Delano spent years in the military and then settled into a job as a corrections officer. The hours were long, the work was dangerous and the stress was tolling; Delano was glad to be done with it. As Delano weaved down the wet and winding road he had no idea his life was about to change forever. Out of nowhere, a deer appeared in the middle of the road, Delano swerved to avoid it and everything went black.

When Delano opened his eyes he was upside down inside is car. He felt a tremendous amount of pain but was still able to fish his phone out of his pocket. His first call was to 9-11 and the second was the hardest call he’s ever had to make. Forty minutes away from where Delano lay suspended in his car, Shelley, his wife, was preparing a late dinner for two. Around 9:15 pm, Shelley received a phone call that left her pale and trembling. The voice on the other end was her husband, he was badly hurt and being rushed to the hospital. Shelley grabbed her bag and raced out the door; she knew it was serious but she had no idea Delano would never walk again.

Delano had nearly severed his spine and there was no hope for recovery, he would require a lifetime of around the clock care. Because the VA and other government agencies could not or would not provide him with the care he needed, Shelley was forced into early retirement and began the painful vocation of caring for a suffering loved one. Because of the ever mounting medical bills, the Draine’s were unable to afford home repairs that were essential to Delano’s well-being. One of those repairs was to the homes furnace, and as the winter grew colder, it became critical that the family had a reliable heating system. That’s when The Michael & Son Cares Program stepped in.

Not too far from the Draine home, Brandi Boxely nervously sat in her cold living room huddled next to a space heater. She could feel her baby kick and every thrust of her tiny feet was like the tick of a clock; Brandi was just weeks away from delivering her baby and her home had no heat. Prior to her pregnancy, Brandi was involved in a serious car accident that left her temporarily disabled and unable to work. With her extended stay at the local hospital over with, Brandi was excited to return home. As she stepped through her front door, she ran into a wall of heat.

While Brandi was recovering in a hospital bed, her HVAC system was in its death throes. After finding out she was pregnant, Brandi set out on a mission to repair or replace her HVAC system. Being out of work and unable to pay her bills left Brandi deeply in debt. As a result, she was not qualified for financing and none of the HVAC contractors in her area were willing to take payments. One Sunday morning, Brandi happened upon “Helping Hands” on NBC. She took down the number at the end of the show and decided to take one last shot at getting assistance..

Want to find out what happens next? Tune into Helping Hands on NBC, Saturday at 7:00 pm. Also, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube page to find out about upcoming episodes, special events and much more!