#222 A HAND UP IS NEVER A HAND OUT  (Original air date:   05/07/98)
 

Written by:	William Schwartz
Directed by:	Victor Lobl
Produced by:	Martha Williamson, Jon Andersen, William Schwartz & R.J. Visciglia, Jr.

Guest Cast:

Joe Greene	Richard Thomas
Erasmus Jones	Ossie Davis
Dr. Rebecca Dixon	Suzzanne Douglas
Mike Fitz	Thomas Earl Hurrington
John Klane	Sterling Brimley

 

The Greenes are staying in Chicory Creek with Erasmus until Claire is ready to deliver. Russell picks up his brother Joe who is being released from jail on a technicality due to overcrowding. On their way home, they stop to visit their father's gravesite to pay their respects. Joe will be working for the Habitat for Humanity organization, which helps lower income families afford housing through sweat equity. After watching a documentary on the subject, Dinah reminds her family of the tragedy of the bombing of the Oklahoma Federal Building. Hattie, distressed that she forgot such a terrible tragedy, feels compelled to visit the memorial site. Russell is against them traveling to Oklahoma but Hattie prevails upon him to let them go, with Josh sharing driving duties. Joe and Russell disagree on how much Nathaniel can participate in the Habitat construction. Joe tells Russell he needs to back off if he's ever going to have a chance with Nathaniel. While working on Erasmus' audit, Claire gets some intense contractions and Erasmus calls his daughter, Rebecca, who is now a practicing OB/GYN. Rebecca examines Claire, puts her on medication to speed the development of the baby's lungs and stop the contractions. Meanwhile, Hattie, Josh and Dinah visit the fence surrounding the remains of the Federal Building. Dinah and Hattie are moved by the mementos sent by people across the nation to express their condolences for the victims and their families. When Josh belittles the memorial, Hattie becomes incensed, saying this was the worst attack on this country in its entire history because it was against ordinary people, just trying to earn a living, take care of their families. John Klane, a gentleman associated with the memorial foundation, invites them to visit a special exhibit (not open to the public). Within the cramped basement exhibit, Josh is suddenly overcome by the vivid mixed media presentation, runs from the exhibit. Hattie finds Josh outside, points out the Survivor Tree, a symbol of hope that survived against all odds amidst the rubble. Claire returns home briefly, only to be rushed back to the hospital when her water breaks. Rebecca determines the baby is breech, and Claire is rushed into surgery for a c-section. Meanwhile, Dinah, Josh and Hattie participate in the Oklahoma Memorial Ceremony honoring the victims and their families on the third anniversary of the bombing. Russell watches anxiously as his child is rushed directly from the operating room into intensive care. The next day, Claire and Russell watch helplessly while their daughter is hooked up to tubes and monitors. Claire has settled on the name Grace as a reminder that they've been graced with a baby at their age. Back home, Joe broaches the possibility of Nathaniel moving in with him, but Nathaniel has mixed feelings about leaving the Greenes. Back at the hospital, Rebecca explains that Claire unknowingly passed on the Beta Strep infection to her child. Rebecca assures Russell and Claire that they're doing everything they can to help Grace. While they've placed Grace on a respirator and antibiotics, there is a fifty-percent chance of fatality. Claire is upset that she can't feed her child, hold her or simply let her know she's there. Russell tries to reassure Claire that Grace knows they're there.