Arnold's love of restoring vintage cars translated into a career working as a mechanic in the floor covering industry repairing truck engines and performing maintenance to the fleet at a Chatsworth, Georgia finishing plant. Arnold worked 60-65 hours per week to try to make ends meet for more than 30 years.
A few years ago, his life was turned upside down. He had a head injury while trying to repair a dock door and was taken out of work per recommendation by his doctor. Following his injury, he was diagnosed with grade 5 prostate cancer, which spread to part of his bladder and other surrounding areas. He has had multiple surgeries to remove his prostate and repair the damage to his bladder.
His wife, Carolyn, worked for many years at a local restaurant but retired due to being unable to work with her hands because of rheumatoid arthritis. Arnold experiences a lot of weakness from the cancer and sometimes must use a wheelchair to move around.
“Because of the Floor Covering Industry Foundation, we are able to buy groceries and always have food to eat. FCIF also purchased supplies for a handicap ramp and worked with a local church to have the ramp installed. In addition, FCIF helped us with repairs to our ceilings. We really appreciate the funding from FCIF."
The Floor Covering Industry Foundation also helped with their mortgage payments and cancer treatments. Carolyn said the grant gave them, “A sense of peace through this storm.”