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Lynn Gonzales
Media Relations
The SCOOTER Store
(830) 626-4064
The Scooter Store Donates Power Wheelchair to Kanawah Woman Suffering from Multiple Sclerosis
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Kanawah, WV, June 1, 2007— Patricia Barker, 46, has experienced some of the most difficult times in her life, because multiple sclerosis (MS) has limited her mobility over the years. The love for her family and from her family has helped her remain upbeat and positive, even as her disabilities sometimes isolate her from her family. Today, with the gift of a power wheelchair from The SCOOTER Store, Mrs. Barker can remain connected to those she loves the most.
Jim Blevins, Account Manager at The SCOOTER Store's Dunbar location delivered a power wheelchair to Mrs. Barker today as part of company's "Gift of Mobility" program. Representatives from The SCOOTER Store teamed up with Christy Conley of the Multiple Sclerosis Society to donate the power wheelchair.
Happily married for 30 years to her high school sweetheart, with two beautiful daughters, and two active grandchildren, Mrs. Barker–or "Mamaw" as she is lovingly called–has built her life around her family. She calls her family the "love of my life". Her family's love helped her cope with her diagnosis of MS at the same time she learned her mother had terminal cancer and only one month to live.
Since then, Barker has become so tired and weak from MS that she is barely able to stand or move around using a walker. Her immobility causes her to depend entirely on her husband and daughters to handle household chores she once handled as a full-time homemaker.
While her physical condition has worsened and dependence on her family has been tough, the prospect of not joining her family on trips to the park or stores was very difficult for Barker. She knew she needed a power wheelchair, but also knew that she had no insurance and no money to obtain one.
Determined to remain mobile, Mrs. Barker contacted The SCOOTER Store through the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and was "very excited" to learn that she was chosen to receive a free power wheelchair. Mrs. Barker says she looks forward "to being able to go to the carnival this summer" with her grandchildren.
Doug Harrison, CEO and Founder of The SCOOTER Store, said he is "pleased that Mrs. Barker will regain the mobility to allow her to spend valuable time with her family". Mr. Harrison added he is "grateful that the Gift of Mobility program will improve the quality of life for Mrs. Barker as it has for so many others over the past several years."
Mr. Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002. Since then, the outreach program has worked with organizations around the world to donate every year as many as 70 power wheelchairs and scooters and manual wheelchairs–valued at more than $200,000–to community service organizations, enabling them to provide freedom, independence and personal integrity to individuals with limited mobility.
About The SCOOTER Store
Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more than 300,000 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 47 states. The SCOOTER Store has worked with more than 100,000 physicians, providing expertise and quality service to their patients, and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
