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 1. Home
 2. Health
 3. Inside Veterans Health
 4. Talented sculptor and Veteran receives lifesaving intervention


TALENTED SCULPTOR AND VETERAN RECEIVES LIFESAVING INTERVENTION

“I am glad to be alive.”



October 29, 2024

Treva Lutes

VA Office of Connected Care

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APPEARS IN

HealthInside Veterans Health

Sculptor Robert Gulley had fallen on hard times.

The 77-year-old Veteran lived alone in a small rural town in Illinois. He was
having trouble with alcohol and his arthritis made it extremely painful for him
to walk.

Because of his pain, Gulley began living in his car last year. He parked it in
his driveway and drove to get his meals from fast food drive throughs. He had
little contact with the outside world and was sitting for so long in his
driver’s seat that he developed ulcers, wounds and infections. He couldn’t take
any of his prescribed medications or reach his belongings as they were inside
his home. Over time, it became agonizing for him to even drive.

In January, VA provider Dr. Anuja Vallabh called Gulley after he had been
referred to her for his alcohol use disorder. Vallabh works as a remote provider
for VISN 12’s Clinical Resource Hub. Through her check-ins, she soon learned
that Gulley was living in his car.

Vallabh scheduled Gulley a consultation appointment for a residential
rehabilitation facility. Gulley agreed to go but he didn’t show up. When Vallabh
followed up, Gulley would again agree to go but not show, and he would refuse
offers of transportation or additional support. After weeks of follow-ups,
Vallabh could hear just how ill he was becoming. She became very worried. Still,
Gulley pleaded for “just one more day” before she intervened.

“I didn’t think he would make it through the weekend,” Vallabh said.

Vallabh made the difficult decision that day to call adult protective services.
An ambulance came to take Gulley to the hospital. At that point, Gulley, who
stands over six feet tall, weighed only 127 pounds.


THE SCULPTOR

Sculpture by Gulley

Gulley served as a radio operator during the Vietnam War. When he returned, he
followed his passion and studied fine arts with help from the G.I. Bill. He
apprenticed with Richard Hunt, a legendary sculptor and civil rights ambassador,
for two years while he honed his own sculpting skills. He then moved to New York
to pursue a Master of Fine Arts.

Gulley began working in construction in Manhattan to earn money, but he always
found time to sculpt. He drew inspiration from his time with Hunt and from
Vietnam. Sculpting served as a form of therapy for him, as he had experienced
panic attacks after his military service.

His sculptures have been featured in The New York Times and other news outlets.
In 2014, Gulley competed against 5,500 artists and won first place for his
sculpture “Prairie Fire” in the National Veterans Creative Arts competition.

After four decades in New York, Gulley retired and moved to his current home in
Illinois. He would regularly drive 90 minutes each way to the nearest VA
facility to receive care. He didn’t mind the long trip as he was a member of a
ceramics studio near the facility.

Eventually, as his pain worsened, he stopped going to in-person appointments,
halted visits to the ceramics studio and began to isolate himself.


THE PROVIDER

Vallabh is a clinical pharmacist practitioner with a specialty in mental health
and substance use disorders at VA’s Clinical Resource Hub in VISN 12. She works
remotely to support VA facilities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Michigan
when they need a specialist or extra coverage.

She mostly meets with Veterans through VA Video Connect, VA’s secure
videoconferencing app. Sometimes these appointments take place over the phone if
a Veteran has limited access to a tablet or computer, like with Gulley.

It was during one of these phone calls that she realized the severity of
Gulley’s situation. Her actions that day may have saved Gulley’s life. “He is
somebody who is just so likable, so kind and I felt so bad that he was alone and
going through all of this,” she said. 

Gulley has expressed gratitude for the actions Vallabh took that day and her
persistence in care throughout the prior months.


STAYING CONNECTED WITH TELEHEALTH

Gulley did go to a rehabilitation facility and celebrated three months of
sobriety. He is also walking again with support from a walker and gaining back
his weight.

“I am glad to be alive,” Gulley said. “I’m doing better.”

For more information on telehealth resources, visit VA Telehealth Services.





TOPICS IN THIS STORY

Clinical Resource HubVISN 12

In this article

 * The sculptor
 * The provider
 * Staying connected with telehealth


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ONE COMMENT

 1. Arthur Davis October 29, 2024 at 22:36 - Reply
    
    I’m a Vietnam veteran who recently been advised that I have clogged arteries
    and unable walk far. I would love to apply for an ebike if possible. Thanks
    for your consideration in this matter.

    


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Last updated October 25, 2024

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