Typical 17-year-olds are planning for college and career, getting ready for prom, and working a part-time job for spending money — they should not be concerned about getting around in their day-to-day lives. But Ana Carrillo is not a typical high school senior.
Carrillo suffered a spinal cord injury in August 2008. She continues to attend school on a regular basis and struggles with a manual wheelchair. In fact, she can’t get around outside with her current wheelchair. She desperately misses joining her younger brother and sister in their yard for games and other fun and can’t imagine trying to get from class to class on a busy college campus.
This morning, The SCOOTER Store, with the help of the ADL Foundation, provided a Jazzy Select power chair to Carrillo at her home in Kenly. On hand at the presentation from The SCOOTER Store’s Raleigh, N.C., operations was Mobility Manager Jason Woods. The power chair was donated under The SCOOTER Store’s “Gift of Mobility” program, which provides mobility equipment and assistance to those who do not have the resources or insurance to obtain power wheelchairs and scooters.
“Our mission is to provide power chairs and scooters to those without insurance, and we sometimes have recipients we can’t help,” said Alvin Lemar, founder and director of ADL Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in New Mexico. “That is why we are extremely fortunate we can call The SCOOTER Store. After being in a wheelchair for 12 years, I know what Ana is going through, and this gift will make a world of difference in her life.”
Carrillo will graduate next year and plans to attend college next fall. She currently relies on public transportation for much of her daily activities.
“Ana’s life has not stopped because of her mobility issues, but it is hindered a bit; she is missing precious time with her siblings and other special moments in a young person’s life,” said Doug Harrison, Founder, President and CEO of The SCOOTER Store. “We are sure she will excel in college and be a shining example for her younger brother and sister. We are proud to provide this gift that will help her regain her freedom and independence.”
Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002 to help people like Ana Carrillo improve their quality of life by improving their independence and mobility. Since then, this outreach program has worked with organizations around the country to donate power wheelchairs, scooters and manual wheelchairs to individuals and community service organizations, fulfilling the mission of The SCOOTER Store 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 people with limited mobility than any other company in the nation. Forty percent employee-owned, the company primarily offers power mobility equipment, including power wheelchairs, scooters, lifts, ramps, and accessories in 48 states and Puerto Rico. The SCOOTER Store has an estimated 30 percent of the current U.S. market in the DME industry and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. The goal of The SCOOTER Store is to create an opportunity for every American senior to live their entire life safely and confidently at home.
Contacts:
The SCOOTER Store
Lynn Gonzales, 830-626-4064
Communications
Manager