Medina Man Who is Familiar Figure on Streets Suffers Debilitating Fall | News

By Virgina Kropf, Batavia Daily News

A Medina man who has lived his life dealing with challenges may now be facing the biggest hurdle of all.

Russell Johnson, who was born in 1963 with cerebral palsy, recently suffered a fall in his home which has left him paralyzed.

Dickson Beam, pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Medina, visited Johnson Friday at Highland Hospital, Rochester, where he underwent spinal surgery after his fall. Beam reported Johnson has not regained use of his legs and is expected to be transferred Monday to a rehab facility, perhaps at Medina hospital or similar unit in the area.

Johnson has been a familiar figure on the streets of Medina, pushing a cart and collecting bottles and cans, which he redeemed and donated the money to charity.

According to Kropf of the Daily News, the Russell Johnson story has "received more hits than any story we've ever printed."  Said Kropf, "People are still emailing and asking about his condition."

Read the full story by Virginia Kropf about this amazing and inspirational Medina man here in the Batavia Daily News:

http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_c3cb0e5c-d2e6-11e1-8cae-001a4bcf887a.html

Read the 2010 inspirational story of Russell Johnson's life by Virginia Kropf, Medina Man is Brave Face of ARC Mission, here in the Batavia Daily News: 

http://thedailynewsonline.com/news/article_df2515e2-0d5a-542b-8118-e05268524baf.html