Ramped up

It seems to Frank Burton that newspapers are only filled with depressing stories — so he called to share a positive one.

Burton, 50, lost his left leg to diabetes in June and has been living in a suburban nursing home, which he can't afford. It's impossible for him to climb the seven steps to his first-floor apartment in Portage Park.

A maddening, frustrating seven steps.

Burton said he is shedding 20 pounds a month from his 385-pound frame and feels better than he has in a long time — and he has things he needs to do.

"I have grandkids I want to chase around. I want to sit in the yard in the summer with my best friend, Jerry — he's the barbecue guy," said …