Blogs

9/22/09

On Friday September 22, I had the opportunity to drop off a nearly new power wheelchair to an employee at GVSU. Danny had been shuffling around campus in a small transport chair for a long time. As he put it, "I was using my feet like Fred Flintstone to push myself around."  

The GVSU Disability Support Services office referred Danny to us after his insurance provider had previously denied him coverage for a power wheelchair. Danny is the fourth person from GVSU we have assisted in the last four years. With his new chair, Danny will be able to travel around his building and around campus without the hassle and dangers of propelling himself with his own feet.

A special thanks goes out to Disability Support Services for this referral. It is always a privilege to assist people with their mobility needs, but it is especially heart warming to help out a fellow Laker.

~Matt Chapman 

Dan received his power wheelchair form Alternatives in Motion two years ago. He was very thankful for our services and appreciated the opportunity to travel freely around the city. That’s why when his wife Maria also needed help; they knew exactly what to do.

With a prescription from their family doctor, Maria called Alternatives in Motion to see if we could provide walkers for both her and Dan. They both needed the additional assistance and stability a walker provides. For Dan he is able to use the walker in the house to get to places his power chair simply can’t go. For Maria, she is able to use the walker when she is out and about with Dan without having the fear of getting tired or falling.

To our knowledge this is the first his and hers donation in the history of Alternatives in Motion. We’re glad we can help Dan and Maria so together they can keep moving forward!

From time to time we receive donations from the recipients we help. These donations are especially meaningful because they demonstrate just how important our program is to the people that need our help. To have our recipients turn around and support our organization is something that makes this job so pleasurable and joyful. For some recipients it is a sacrifice to send a $5 or $10 dollar donation but the fact they do speaks volumes.

This week received a donation from Dick, one of our recent temporary recipients. Here is a copy of the note from Dick and his wife:

“This small check is meant to let you know how much we appreciate the use of the power wheelchair while we waited for the V.A. to get a new chair for me. I wish that this donation could be more because your service is really great for those that need help!”

Thanks again,

Dick G. 

We're back to blogging again, sorry about the hiatus. This morning we picked up a $500 donation from the friendly staff at the Alpine Walmart store. Janet, George, and I visited the morning managers meeting to pick up the check and talk about Alternatives in Motion. Very cool!

Did you know the Walmart managers have a song and dance they sing at the end of their morning meeting? It's true! Thanks to all of the great people at Walmart for helping community nonprofit organizations like Alternatives in Motion. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Be sure to check us out on Twitter: @altinmotion

We're on facebook too, become a fan and suggest us to all of your friends: www.facebook.com/alternativesinmotion

We really like it when a nearly new power wheelchair or scooter is donated to us, but that doesn't always happen. Occasionally we will take older equipment if we see value or potential for future use. That was the case with this old Rally Scooter donated from our friends at Family Network of Wyoming.

Upon arrival the scooter looked like it had seen better days. It was covered in dirt, missing an armrest, didn’t have a key, and had two completely dead batteries. We kept the scooter because we always have a demand for scooters and we knew we had parts to repair it. A short time later we received a call from a gentleman who was looking for a new scooter because the chair that was given to him wasn't working properly.

With a little hard work and a lot of elbow grease we were able to clean up the scooter and make it look as good as new. After finding an old key, a new set of armrests and a used set of batteries down in our warehouse, we made the necessary repairs to get the scooter running again. Now Clifford has a scooter that looks brand new and runs great too.

This is just another example of how hard we work to refurbish used equipment and get it to those who need it most. If you have a new or gently used manual or power wheelchair you would like to donate, please visit our wheelchair donation guidelines page for more information.