Client Story: Ronald

The Mustard Seed of Central Florida assists more than 240 veterans each year with furniture and clothing.

Thanks to your support, Ronald, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War, left The Mustard Seed with a new bed, couch, tables, television and home décor. Veterans Affairs, which is helping Ronald obtain new housing, referred him to The Mustard Seed.

“This is awesome,” Ronald said of receiving furniture assistance. “When I moved into my room, there was absolutely nothing. There weren’t even towels or face cloths. I couldn’t believe I could get this furniture. I’m in awe.”

Ronald rents a home in Orlando with two other veterans. However, he has to vacate the property in January because his landlord is selling the home. Ronald said the home is fairly empty right now, and when he transitions to a new place, he’ll bring his furnishings with him.

In the Army, Ronald served as a medical specialist based in a hospital in Hawaii. During the Vietnam War, he traveled back and forth to Vietnam to treat injured American soldiers while bringing them home on an airplane.

After the war, he left the Army and obtained bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech pathology from Emerson College in Boston and Southern Connecticut State College in New Haven, respectively.

Ronald became sick a year ago from a mold problem in his apartment while living in Costa Rica.

“I was very, very sick,” he said. “I got dizzy from the mold. I still get dizzy.”

Ronald, who’s now retired, uses the aid of a walker to help with his dizzy spells. He moved from Costa Rica to Orlando in January 2020.

“I’ve been used to being on my own and taking care of myself,” Ronald said. “I had to ask for help, and I don’t like asking for help. This help has been a blessing, and I’m grateful.”