Former Olympic Skier Dick Ireland
“I Trust This Doctor with My Life”
Former U. S. Olympic skier Dick Ireland saw his dreams of glory demolished during practice trials. The day before his U.S. Olympic team was to perform, the young snow skier shredded his left knee. That was 30 years ago. Although Ireland didn’t participate in the Olympics, he continued to ski, as well as play semi pro-soccer, tournament tennis, football—if it was athletic, Dick Ireland did it.
Today, the owner and operator of R.H. Ireland & Sons Landscaping in Fort Lauderdale has had a total knee replacement, and two rebuilt shoulders –all successful operations –thanks to Paul Meli, MD, medical director of The Shoulder & Knee Center of South Florida.
“I knew one day I would need a total knee replacement, even though I’d had several knee operations years earlier. I went to Dr. Meli in 1997. He confirmed I needed a new knee, but suggested I wait until I slowed down in both my business and my active lifestyle. He told me that at age 54, I should wait a couple of years before having the surgery. Any other doctor would have had me on the operating table the next day,” Ireland says.
In the meantime, however, Dr. Meli repaired Ireland’s right shoulder—again the product of too much strenuous athletic activity over many years.
In March of 1999, Ireland took his 89-year old mother skiing. The next week, Dr. Meli replaced Ireland’s left knee.
“Dr. Meli encouraged me through the long therapy process. He made sure everything worked. I trust this man with my life,” Ireland says, pointing to a photo taken before the surgery that shows a crooked left leg caused by the damaged knee.
As recently as September (2000), Ireland was on the operating table again. Dr. Meli rebuilt his left shoulder and repaired the rotator cuff. “I’m still in therapy, but I feel great. I am fortunate to have such a good surgeon who also cares about me as a person. His technical skills are phenomenal, but he really cares about his patients, too. He’s genuine and he’s honest. It’s hard to find that combination.”