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The SCOOTER Store Donates Power Wheelchair to Lake Charles Woman after Plea from Radio Show
Gift of Mobility Allows Housebound Local Woman to Regain Mobility and Independence
"Is there anybody out there that can help this lady out?" pleaded G. Gordon Liddy last week on his radio talk show, after hearing Ellen Hornsby describe her inability to obtain a power wheelchair on a fixed income. The SCOOTER Store was listening.
Today, The SCOOTER Store donated a power wheelchair to Ms. Hornsby, a 62-year-old Lake Charles woman who suffers from many health problems, including a heart condition and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). She is unable to stand or walk. After her son died in a car accident a year ago, Ms. Hornsby has depended on neighbors to run errands and help with household chores. Her only regular companion is her dog "Big Girl."
A week ago, Big Girl was at Ms. Hornsby's side as she listened to the G. Gordon Liddy radio show as he discussed the shortfalls of Social Security. Based on her personal experiences, Ms. Hornsby called and spoke of her inability to receive a power wheelchair even though her doctor prescribed one. She was reduced to tears describing her frustrations.
As Mr. Liddy heard Ms. Hornsby's story, he asked listeners to help her. Ed Kentgen, a Mobility Manager with The SCOOTER Store, heard her plea, and called the show.
When Ms. Hornsby connected with The SCOOTER Store, she was quickly qualified for a free power wheelchair as part of its renowned "Gift of Mobility" program, which donates power mobility equipment and assistance to individuals who do not have the resources or insurance coverage to pay for them.
Ronnie Sanchez, a Mobility Manager at The SCOOTER Store's Baton Rouge location in Louisiana, teamed with the community service organization, ADL Foundation/Mobility Aids for the Uninsured 
, to make the donation.
Ms. Hornsby "thanks God" for The SCOOTER Store because she "will now get the help I need." She says, "The wheelchair will mean a big difference in my life, so I will no longer have to rely on others to buy my groceries."
Doug Harrison, CEO and Founder of The SCOOTER Store, said he is "proud to have answered this very public cry for help. We are delighted to know Ms. Hornsby will improve her quality of life with this gift of a power wheelchair."
Mr. Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002 to help people like Ms. Hornsby 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 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.
