Thelma Brown has a large family – 63 nieces and nephews and 13 brothers and sisters. Maybe because of that she is no stranger to work. The Jacksonville native has worked since she was 14 years old cleaning house, condos, offices and working as a telephone operator and solicitor.

Her work ability took a tumble, literally, in 2011, when she fell and shattered her hip. Four surgeries later and a series of infections meant that she was in the hospital for six months and then couldn’t walk on the hip for two months after release.

Though Brown had Medicare, she didn’t have secondary insurance and the bills piled up.  She didn’t have the funds for equipment she needed after surgery – a walker, bath chair, mobile chair and a ramp at her hour.

The ILRC helped her get the needed equipment and now that she is more mobile is helping her find a job.

“The ILRC, Aaron and Ms. Baker are all wonderful,” she added.  “I need a job because it is getting hard to live on a fixed income and if I don’t work I will have to sell my house.”