Blogs | Alternatives in Motion

Technical Difficulties

4/30/08

We are currently in the process of moving our website to a new server. During this transition there will be periods of interrupted service with our website and with staff emails. Please be patient while we continue to work through this transition. Our site and emails should be back to full functionality by Monday May 4.
If you are having difficulty registering for the 5^th Annual “What’s Your Handicap?” Golf Classic, please call me at 616-493-2620. Thank you for your continued support.

Matt Chapman
Director of Marketing & Special Events

Would you like to win $10,000

4/14/09

The 5th Annual "What's Your Handicap?" Golf Classic is right around the corner. We will tee off at 12:30p.m. on Tuesday May 19 at Thornapple Pointe Golf Club.

If you have a great short game you are in luck this year. For the first time in the history of our golf outing we are offering some sweet hole-in-one prizes on each of the par 3's. The grand prize is $10,000.

Check out the golf outing web page for more information!

Welcome Janet!

4/6/09

I’d like to take a minute and introduce Janet Rininger. Janet is the newest intern to join our staff. Janet is currently a full-time student in the Hospitality & Tourism Management program at Grand Valley State University. Janet will be using her classroom lessons and real world experience to help plan the “What’s Your Handicap?” Golf Classic and coordinate our involvement with the 2009 Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon.

Janet served as Health Promotion Specialist for The Center for Good Health at Holland Hospital and was instrumental in the set up and delivery of programs and events for the community.

Janet is our third intern from Grand Valley State University and will be with us through the end of the summer semester. We look forward to seeing what she brings to the table and are thankful for another set of hands to help us provide independence and mobility for those in need.

Matt Chapman
Director of Marketing & Special Events

More Than Wheelchairs, Walkers, and Scooters

3/23/09

When your car breaks down you call your mechanic, when your sink is plugged up you call your plumber, but who do you call when you find yourself needing a wheelchair?

Many people call on Alternatives in Motion for help and advice. Each day we take calls from people looking for solutions to their unmet mobility needs. It is not uncommon for us to talk to these individuals at length so we can truly understand the problems they are facing. As much as we love to provide wheelchairs, sometimes the best thing we can do is share our knowledge and point them in a different direction.

That's exactly what happened one day in February when Liz took a call from a gentleman needing help acquiring a power scooter. From the conversation Liz quickly realized this gentleman shouldn't have any trouble getting a scooter covered through his insurance company. Liz referred him to a local home medical equipment provider and told him who to speak to.

This afternoon Liz received a letter from the gentleman that shared the following:

"Thanks for your interest in helping me acquire a scooter. With the death of my wife and that of my sister the benefit of having a scooter was helpful during the hard grief and loss period. I wanted you to know I now have a scooter and appreciate your efforts to assist with this."

At Alternatives in Motion we are more than just wheelchairs, walker, and scooters. We are proud of the fact that after 15 years in the business we have become a valuable resource for people with disabilities.

Matt Chapman
Director of Marketing and Special Events

Young people in West Michigan continue to prove themselves as great community members!

3/13/09

Following the awesome donation of tools for our program from Grant Christian School, another great surprise recently arrived at our office. Alternatives in Motion received a note, along with a check in the mail from Ravenna Middle School. The Ravenna Middle Student Council organized a fundraiser by selling “Enjoy the City” coupon books throughout their community and raised a total of $2,500 for Alternatives in Motion!

Awesome job! Especially considering there are just 200 students in the entire school! This kind of work and dedication is proof that the young people in West Michigan have a true sense of community and meeting the needs of those around them. Thanks again to the students of Ravenna Middle School and Grant Christian School!

Liz Spieker
Program Coordinator