Melissa Akridge wraps her husbands arm after letting the wound air out on August 22, 2018. Richard recently had surgery on his elbow to anchor a nerve and on his hand to release the same nerve that was causing his fingers to claw. He has more than 30 complications caused by diabetes, including neuropathy and gastroparesis.
Richard and Melissa Akridge leave Walmart after picking up medication for the month on August 22, 2018.
Melissa Akridge adjusts Richard's nasal cannula on August 22, 2018.
Melissa Akridge holds her husband's hand as he lies in pain on August 26, 2018.
Melissa Akridge helps her husband get dressed on August 22, 2018. Richard has no feeling in his hands or feet but still feels pain.
Melissa Akridge helps Richard shave on August 22, 2018. The vibration from Richard's razor causes him too much pain for him to do it himself.
Melissa Akridge wipes Richard's face after shaving on August 22, 2018.
Richard Akridge waits to go inside after a trip to Walmart as Melissa raises a power chair lift.
Melissa and Richard Akridge live in Lampasas, Texas, and have been married since 2006.
Richard Akridge has more than 30 complications caused by diabetes, including neuropathy and gastroparesis. Akridge taught for the Georgetown ISD for about nine years.
Richard Akridge sits up in bed waiting for medication on August 26, 2018.
Richard Akridge waits in the car while his wife runs errands on August 22, 2018.
Richard Akridge listens to Beethoven's Silence while laying in bed on August 26, 2018, in Lampasas, Texas.
Melissa Akridge pulls over and parks to give her husband, Richard, medication.
Melissa Akridge watches over her husband as he watches television on August 26, 2018, in Lampasas, Texas.
Melissa Akridge sorts out Richard's medication for the week on August 26, 2018. Richard takes more than 20 pills a day, including morphine twice a day. Recently, Richard's pain management cutback his medication. The lowered dosage has impacted his quality of life.
Melissa Akridge helps Richard shave on August 22, 2018.