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The SCOOTER Store Donates Power Wheelchair to Former Manassas Detective Stricken with Arthritis
Gift of Mobility is a "Dream Come True" to Manassas Man Seeking to Improve His Mobility
MANASSAS, VA —Thomas Yeepun, 64, thinks of his 20 years with the Fairfax County Police Department as a "blessing" because he served his community. Now retired and suffering from severe arthritis in his knees and a bad back, Mr. Yeepun calls his power wheelchair from The SCOOTER Store a "second blessing."
Mr. Yeepun proudly recalls his years as a detective who delighted in "working hard to help people and help the community." Lately, since the arthritis and back pain have immobilized him, he has "prayed that someone would help him, too."
Today, The SCOOTER Store answered his prayers. Working with the ADL Foundation of Arizona (www.adlfoundation.org), a non-profit organization that helps uninsured adults obtain mobility equipment, Mobility Manager Stan Parks from the Ashland, VA distribution center of The SCOOTER Store delivered a power wheelchair to Mr. Yeepun.
Mr. Yeepun had heard about The SCOOTER Store's commitment to helping people living with disabilities. Still, when he called and explained his situation, he said that he was surprised they were "so good to me." Mr. Yeepun lives on a limited retirement income and his insurance won't cover a power chair. But The SCOOTER Store qualified him for a free wheelchair under its "Gift of Mobility" program, which provides power wheelchairs and scooters to people without the resources or insurance coverage to purchase them.
Now, with the power wheelchair, Mr. Yeepun is pleased that he can "go out anywhere" with his girlfriend and two daughters. He is most excited, though, to go out and find work. The last few years have been very difficult for him. He has been mostly confined to the house, dependent on his family and limited to watching television. He said that he "loves to be busy and work" and the wheelchair will enable him to do that.
Doug Harrison, CEO and Founder of The SCOOTER Store, said he is "pleased that Mr. Yeepun is able to once again be mobile and make valuable contributions to his family and community. We are pleased the power wheelchair will allow him to get more out of life and enjoy his friends and family."
Mr. Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002 to help people like Mr. Yeepun improve their quality of life by recovering their independence and mobility. Since then, the outreach program has worked with organizations around the country to donate power wheelchairs, scooters and manual wheelchairs valued at more than $200,000 a year to individuals and community service organizations, enabling them to provide freedom and independence to people living with limited mobility.
About The SCOOTER Store
Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more than 500,000 people with limited mobility. The SCOOTER Store offers a full line of durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs and scooters, lifts, ramps and accessories in 48 states. The SCOOTER Store has worked with more than 203,000 physicians, providing expertise and quality service to their patients, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
