When Americans need medical assistance or equipment, they usually rely on private insurance, Medicaid or Medicare to provide what they need for their health. But with 47 million people uninsured and regulations that restrict the benefits of government health programs, there are always people falling through the cracks – they need a medical service or equipment but don’t have the resources or insurance to pay for it.
What happens to those men, women and children?
While Congress, policymakers and presidential candidates debate the best health policy for the nation, there are real people who need help. Oftentimes they must choose between paying their rent or mortgage or taking care of their health needs. We have senior citizens struggling on fixed incomes who must decide whether to buy food or take care of their health.
To be sure, there is no easy answer for our nation’s healthcare predicament. But The SCOOTER Store, the nation’s largest supplier of power wheelchairs and scooters, has found a way to do its part while Washington continues the search for the right answers.
In 2002, The SCOOTER Store started its Gift of Mobility program. Each year, the program works with organizations around the country to donate power wheelchairs, scooters and manual wheelchairs to individuals and community service organizations. This mobility equipment, valued at a total of more than $200,000 each year, often brings freedom and independence to people with limited mobility.
“In a perfect world, everyone would have private health insurance or be able to rely on a government program,” said Doug Harrison, CEO and Founder of The SCOOTER Store. “But the unfortunate reality is that people often have medical needs that aren’t covered. We are pleased to be able to provide people living with disabilities an opportunity to improve their mobility and their quality of life when often they have nowhere else to turn.”
Clearly, the Gift of Mobility program is impacting the lives of some of the most vulnerable men, women and children in our society.
In January, Stephanie Richardson, 56, was in her Philadelphia home confused and disoriented - she was unsure which prescription medicine to take. Her legs and toes had been amputated due to circulatory problems, and she has relied on a full-time caregiver since 1997. That evening, her call to 9-1-1 began a chain of events that changed her life. Philadelphia Police Officer Edward Schikel responded to the call and was shocked to find that Ms. Richardson was immobile and lacked a power wheelchair. Unable to stand or adequately maneuver a manual wheelchair, Ms. Richardson had spent the last ten years dependent on others for mobility and assistance.
Her insurance wouldn’t cover a power chair, and she could not afford to buy one, but Officer Schikel vowed to find a way to help her. Officer Schikel reached out to The SCOOTER Store for help. When he told The SCOOTER Store representatives about Ms. Richardson’s predicament, it was determined that she was eligible for the Gift of Mobility program, and within days a free power wheelchair was delivered to her.
Now, Ms. Richardson looks forward to going out on her own and getting back to church. She says that receiving the chair “is the best thing that has ever happened” and she is “so thankful and grateful.”
For others, too, regaining their mobility has significantly improved their quality of life. There are many more stories about people whose lives have changed with the gift of a power wheelchair or scooter. Unfortunately, there are countless more people who need power wheelchairs and can’t get them or are in need of other medical equipment or services.
Our nation desperately needs a healthcare policy that provides the medical equipment and services people need. But until that happens, The SCOOTER Store is pleased to be a good corporate citizen, and help as many people as we can. We urge others to do the same.