Free wheelchairs, walkers handed out at event
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A West Michigan nonprofit held a new event Friday to ensure people of all abilities can move around freely.
Some may not think twice about what it takes to move around, but for people who need mobility equipment, it can be costly.
“Power wheelchairs run between $20,000 and $40,000, so, they can cost as much as a car. And depending on your diagnosis, you may or may not be eligible through your insurance,” Coleen Davis, executive director of Renew Mobility, explained.
For 31 years, the nonprofit Renew Mobility has been working to break down these types of barriers in West Michigan.
“We’re blessed by eight counties in the West Michigan community. They donate gently used mobility equipment to us. We repair it, refurbish it, put it in our million-dollar inventory,” Davis said. “And then we work with hundreds of community partners that work with clients that have a disability and have a financial barrier to acquiring the equipment.”
On Friday, that mission continued in Grand Rapids’ Heartside District. In the parking lot of Western Michigan University’s Grand Rapids campus, an event called ‘Equipment for Wellness’ was held. People could pick up things like manual wheelchairs, walkers and canes at no cost. Free equipment repairs were also available.
“We don’t want there to be any barriers to access to freedom and independence,” Davis said.
Students and faculty with WMU’s occupational therapy department helped ensure equipment was property fitted to people.
“This helps prepare students for real-life activities. So they get to interact with clients, they get to use their therapeutic use-of-self, and they get to be able to identify what equipment is needed for this individual,” department chair Nancy Hock said.
One student said it’s rewarding to help the community with their everyday lives.
“Depending on if you’re getting to social events, work or to just get food, being able to help people do those things and help them do it more efficiently is special,” student Emma Norman said.
The eight counties that Renew Mobility serves include Kent, Muskegon, Ottawa, Allegan, Barry, Ionia, Montcalm and Newaygo.
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