Are you looking to change careers and start in a new direction? If you like to help people and have the right experience and skillsets, MobilityWorks may be the place you are looking for. Posted on our employment opportunities page are several current job postings – and they are always being updated when new positions become available.

MobilityWorks is a national retailer of wheelchair vans and vehicle related equipment, now in 24 locations, that provides transportation solutions serving the disabled community. We offer accessible vehicles for sale, hand controls, mechanical service and rental programs. Our goal is to improve the lives of our customers with increased mobility and independence through accessible transportation.

Current opportunities at MobilityWorks include GENERAL MANAGER positions in California, requiring at least 5 years of management experience (preferably in an automotive dealership environment); a SERVICE TECHNICIAN position in California, requiring automotive dealership experience and ASE Certification; and CERTIFIED MOBILITY CONSULTANTS, requiring at least 3-5 years of professional sales experience, preferably to consumers. In all cases, experience with assisting people having specialized transportation needs or having worked with physically challenged individuals is always a plus.

"LOVE IT!"

Working at MobilityWorks requires having patience and being able to build rapport with our clients. Customer satisfaction and core principals are a significant part of our corporate philosophy. We call it LOVE IT! Listen, Ownership, Value, Excitement, Integrity and Team. For more information about our current opportunities – or if you would like us to keep your name on file for future consideration, you can send your resume to Charla Givens, MobilityWorks Human Resources Director, at cgivens@mobilityworks.com.

The Dodge Grand Caravan is our most popular wheelchair accessible conversion.

Check Out Our Van Specials Page for Super Deals on Wheelchair Vans for Sale

It’s that time of year when people start to bring out their patio furniture, lawn mowers, garden hoses, and my favorite… the barbeque grill! Just as homeowners like to clean out the garage at spring time, so do auto dealers with plenty of used inventory on their lots. They need to move them quickly in order to make room for brand new vans coming in for the busy summer season. Mobility van dealers like MobilityWorks face the same challenge when trying to decide on how many vans to order, which makes and models, and what type of conversions our customers will need. Mobility dealers need to have several options available in order to meet the individual needs of each client – and to match their ramp and color preferences. Yes, color does matter!

Visit our Van Specials page to find reduced price deals on 35 different used wheelchair vans, including: minivans with folding and in-floor ramps, full-size vans with lifts, and even an accessible pickup truck!

White Still Leads as the Auto Industry’s Most Popular Color

Did you know that white was the most popular color selection worldwide for a new car in 2011 and in 2012? According to PPG, the world’s largest supplier of automotive paint products, 22% of buyers selected white for their new vehicle purchase, closely followed by silver at 20% and then black at 19%. Looking at just the United States and Canadian markets, the results were very similar, with white also leading the color face-off with 21% of all new car sales.

We’ve Got Your Color!

In a survey that PPG conducted in 2011, 77% of respondents said that color was one of the factors in their purchase decision. Our clients are no different when it comes to color selection. Everyone has their own personal favorites. 10 of the 35 handicap vans currently listed for sale on our Specials page are white (28.5%) – and 99 of the 420 vehicles listed on our complete Inventory Search page are white (23%). Don’t like white? We’ve got 97 vans that are silver, 52 that are blue, 50 that are either gray, black or charcoal and 36 in various shades of red. We’ve also got plenty of vans with even more creative names, like Polished Metal, Mango Tango, Sandy Beach, Mocha, Magnesium Pearl, and Smoky Topaz!

MobilityWorks can help you find the right conversion van for your needs and one that also matches your preferences for a specific color. Visit with us today at a MobilityWorks showroom location in your area. Call ahead and schedule a personal one-on-0ne consultation with a Certified Mobility Consultant at 1-877-275-4907.

May is ALS Awareness Month

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. When the motor neurons die, the ability of the brain to initiate and control muscle movement is lost. It is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans have the disease at any given time. Although it can occur at a younger age, most people who develop ALS are between the ages of 40 and 75. There is no cure.

The ALS Awareness Month campaign, led by The ALS Association, is designed to make a collective impact on the public and lawmakers regarding important issues facing people with the disease. The theme of this year’s ALS Awareness month is “Create a World Without ALS. Speak Up Now to Give Hope.”

Sharing Your Story

Whether you're a person living with ALS, a family member, friend, or concerned individual, they want to hear from you. In the words of The ALS Association, “visitors to our website understand more about the impact of Lou Gehrig's Disease.” They are encouraging others to write (and read) about the disease to educate policymakers, the media and the public.

Note: When you submit your story to their website, you agree that they can use, share, and make public your story, using only your first name, last initial, city and state. They won’t share or make public your last name, address, phone number, or email address without permission to do so.

For more information about submitting your story, go to: http://www.alsa.org/about-als/2013-aam/

ALS Information Resources

ALS.org Facts You Should Know
http://www.alsa.org/about-als/facts-you-should-know.html

Packard Center ALS Facts and Statistics
http://www.alscenter.org/living_with_als/facts_statistics.html

To go where you to go, when you want to go is a gift of independence that most able-bodied people don’t think about very often. We just get in our cars, turn the key and go. That’s not so easy for those who have entered the National Mobility Awareness Month van giveaway contest – needing desperately the use of a wheelchair accessible van. One of the many messages of Awareness Month is that none of us should ever take our freedom to travel for granted.

Over the past two months, MobilityWorks has shared several of its client's stories — of heartache, courage and determination. They are of all ages, but sadly most are in their younger years. As one mother wrote: "Heroes aren’t always big brawny guys who save the day." They are also families with more than one member of a household struggling to get by, hoping for an easier life. Beside their dreams of having better health, the ability to travel is often the most wished upon goal. For doctor's appointments and phyiscal therapy sessions, it is an absolute necessity. We wish every one of them the independence and happiness they all deserve.

Today Officially Ends the Voting Period for the NMEDA Van Giveaway Contest

May 10th is the final day for voting, ending at midnight tonight. Potential Winners will be notified by phone on or about May 31, 2013. To find your local hero, go to www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/local-heroes/.

Our Local Heroes

Below are links to our local hero stories. Vote for all of them today!

Four year old Maya Vasquez was born with a rare developmental disorder. She is unable to walk or perform daily living skills without 24/7 help…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/maya-vasquez-profile

Jennifer Gill and her teenage son Connor, who was born with arthrogryposis…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/connor-gill-profile

Lee Krizka living with a rare spinal cord malformation since she was 14 years old…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/lee-krizka-profile

Curtney Kestner, now 16 years old, who was born in 1996 with Cerebral Palsy…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/courtney-kestner-profile

The Schultz family, with several family members having some type of physical challenge…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/schultz-family-profile

The Ferris family, with two boys 27 and 21 years old, both having Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/nathan-farris-profile

17 year old Casey Miller suffered a broken blood vessel in his spine when he was 13 that left him paralyzed…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/featured-client-casey-miller

7 year old Kyla Hartigan was born 12 weeks premature and later diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/kyla-hartigan-profile

Isabelle Brya was only teo years old when suddenly collapsed from a life threatening brain aneurism that caused a severe hemorrhagic stroke…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/isabella-brya-nmeda-profile

Steve Herbst was paralyzed in 1980 after being tackled in a high school football game. He went on to graduate with honors from the University of Illinois…
www.mobilityworks.com/blog/featured-client-steve-herbst

MobilityWorks of Marietta, Georgia was a proud sponsor of Walk MS held in downtown Marietta on Saturday April 20^th.  In addition to sponsoring one of the break points along the walk, MobilityWorks provided two wheelchair accessible vans to assist participants who needed help finishing the route.  Scott Creel, a Certified Mobility Consultant in Marietta with 18 years of experience in the mobility industry, drove a 2012 Chrysler Town & Country with a conversion made by BraunAbility.

Holly CothranDrake, Marketing Coordinator for MobilityWorks, steered a 2012 Dodge Grand Caravan with a VMI slide out ramp system.  With over 1,200 walkers participating in the walk, Scott and Holly made multiple trips and made many new friends along the route.

MobilityWorks provides wheelchair accessible vehicles and modifications that help people who have physical challenges caused by multiple sclerosis and other conditions.  To read about all the products offered by MobilityWorks, vist www.mobilityworks.com.

Adrianne Haslet-Davis examines an example of what her prosthetic may look like in the future.

When the first bomb went off, Adrianne was far enough away from the blast to not be injured. Jolted by the sound wave and smoke, she remembers thinking there could be more than one. She held on to her husband standing next to her. A few seconds later, the second blast would tear through her left foot and leg. After being rushed to the hospital, the doctors had to amputate about 5 inches below the left knee.

32 year old ballroom dance teacher Adrianne Haslet-Davis was interviewed by hit show Dancing with the Stars last night, sharing her thoughts on the Boston bombing and the loss of her leg. Inspired by her courage and determination to dance again, the producers invited her to dance on the program whenever she is ready. It's not just an invitation to dance in front of millions of viewers on one of her favorite shows, it's a physical and mental challenge she fully intends to meet.

When she does, Adrianne won't be the first limb loss person on the popular show. Amputee Heather Mills (ex-wife of Paul McCartney) was a contestant on DWTTS back in 2007. Mills was injured in a motorcycle accident in 1993 and also had her leg amputated below the knee. She is now the Vice President of The Limbless Association, a charitable organization in the United Kingdom.

Though Adrianne is nervous about learning to walk and dance again (in a different way), she is extremely confident and positive about her future. She knows the rehabilitation process will take a lot of work and time, but she is resolved to meet the challenge. Our thoughts and well-wishes go out to Adrianne and to her husband, Air Force Captain Adam Davis (also injured but not as serious). We hope to see her on the ballroom floor very soon.

About Limb Loss

Adrianne’s story is an example of how advancements in prosthetic medicine provide hope to thousands of amputees each year. Doctors acknowledge that prosthetics have come a long way in the past 10 years – mainly due to the number of Iraq and Afghanistan War veterans returning home with missing limbs.

To learn more about prosthetics and amputee issues, visit the Limb Loss Resource Center created by the Amputee Coalition.

MobilityWorks Certified Mobility Consultant Scott Coots demonstrates the use of hand controls installed in his accessible van.

5th Annual Peer Support Event Hosted by MobilityWorks

On April 27th, Shepherd Center held its 5th Annual Peer Support Spring Fling in the Livingston gymnasium, and this year they added a van information show hosted by MobilityWorks of Atlanta. After being treated to a barbeque lunch, attendees were invited to join MobilityWorks on the upper level of the parking deck for a van information show. Guests attending the event learned about wheelchair accessible vans and trucks and were treated to cold watermelon.

MobilityWorks Regional Manager Scott Sorenson (far left) discusses the mobility equipment that's been installed on a client's pickup truck.

A customer of MobilityWorks offered to have his pickup truck on site to demonstrate its accessibility. Staff members from MobilityWorks of Atlanta who participated in the van show include: Tashi Chitolie, Scott Coots, Holly CothranDrake, Scott Creel, Brandon James-Flemister, Robert Harris, Vanessa Lester, Tomeka McCray, Steve Richardson, and Scott Sorenson. Additional fun came in the form of a grand-prize give away of a 39” flat-screen television.

Shepherd Center, located in Atlanta Georgia, is a private, not-for-profit hospital specializing in medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury and brain injury. Founded in 1975, Shepherd Center is ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the top 10 rehabilitation hospitals in the nation. To learn more about Shepherd Center, visit their website at www.shepherd.org.

33 year old Melissa Hitchcock and her daughter.

Melissa Hitchcock is a 33 year old single mother from Channahon, IL and she lost both of her legs due to a genetic clotting disease called ‘Factor 5’. She lost her left leg last March and lost her right leg in November. Melissa’s family and friends are holding a benefit to raise money to buy her a handicap van and to help with other living costs.

"Melissa hasn't been able to leave the house since the last amputation. She really needs a new wheelchair friendly vehicle."

There will be raffle and door prizes. Cost: $15 a person (food and non-alcoholic beverages included). Children 10 and under are free. There will also be a cash bar.

Van for Melissa Benefit Details

Saturday May 4, 2013 beginning at 4pm

Fraternal Order of Eagles – Morris, IL

120 Liberty St

Morris, IL 60450

facebook.com/vanformelissabenefit

E-mail for more info: vanformelissa79@gmail.com

“Heroes aren’t always big brawny guys who save the day.”

Life moves forward at a very fast past for four year old Maya Vasquez. As a little girl with many special needs, she is always on the go. But unlike other toddlers, her busy day is not about play dates and Fisher Price toys; it’s all about doctor appointments and physical therapy. Maya faces daily hurdles that most children her age outgrew at infancy–she is unable to sit, stand, roll over, walk or perform daily living skills without the 24/7 help of her attentive and loving family, and her ability to communicate with them is very limited. But when you meet this beautiful little girl, that’s not what you notice first. When Maya’s soft smile spreads over her face–and it usually does!–you would never know how challenging her life is.

A debilitating combination of Bilateral schizencephaly–a rare developmental disorder characterized by abnormal clefts in the brain’s cerebral hemispheres , –cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and impaired vision have made Maya very dependent on her “wheels”. Since she cannot use her legs or spine to propel her, her wheelchair is her life. And as she has grown, and the chair has gotten bigger, it is becoming more and more difficult for her young mother to fit Maya–and her equipment–in her small car. And there’s always a specialist to see, or a class to attend, or a walk to take with Mom or Dad and dog Molly. Maya even has a role to play at the Center for Disability Services, where she attends preschool. Her sweet disposition and angelic face made her a natural to serve as the Center’s child ambassador for its 2012 Telethon.

Heroes aren’t always big brawny guys who save the day. Sometimes they are beautiful young children like Maya, who inspires those around her every day. She will always have enormous struggles to face as she grows, but it’s clear that she will meet them head on with sweetness and determination. Maya has made tremendous strides since her birth, and her family is convinced she will continue to make progress. Who knows what worlds a wheelchair-accessible van would open up to her?

To vote for Maya, please visit her Mobility Awareness profile page. For you own NMEDA entry, use MobilityWorks DEALER CODE# 64ANK.

MobilityWorks consultant Scott Coots (center) is shown with West Georgia Mustangs power soccer league tournament players.

On Saturday April 6^th, MobilityWorks of Atlanta sponsored the Southeastern Power Soccer League in the “West Georgia Mustangs-Matthew Martin Tournament” that took place at Gold Dust Park Gymnasium in Villa Rica, Georgia. The Southeastern Power Soccer League is affiliated with the U.S. Power Soccer Association.  Seven teams participated in the tournament coordinated by Wendy Busch.  Tournament players were 8 years of age and older.

Scott Coots, a Certified Mobility Consultant with MobilityWorks of Atlanta, organized lunch and supplied jerseys for the players. As a Mobility Consultant who also uses a power wheelchair, Scott appreciates the positive effects playing sports has for all kids, including those who use wheelchairs. As a wheelchair user, Scott drives a wheelchair accessible van with a ramp conversion made by BraunAbility. To learn about vans like the one Scott uses, visit www.mobilityworks.com/braun-entervan.php.

MobilityWorks provided food and refreshments for the power soccer tournament.

For the last five years, MobilityWorks of Chicago has had the privilege of working with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Every year we’ve been a sponsor at their walk in the Chicagoland area. This year, over 1,000 walkers were hosted at Chicago’s beautiful Solider Field, helping to raise close to $220,000 for their cause.

Why They Walk

Most of the festivities were held at the Soldier Field United Club, where they had music, cheerleaders and contests. Everyone gathered to listen to stories of strength for why they walk. A grandmother talked about her two grandchildren that are affected by muscular dystrophy. She walks so that they can hopefully raise enough money before the youngest grandchild loses his mobility like his brother did. Another woman talked about how her child is her hero and always has an amazing attitude. A man shared his story about the MDA Summer Camp, and what that meant to him growing up with MD.

After all the stories, we were able to do our “victory laps” around Solider Field.  What an amazing group of people to work with!

The MDA walk theme is called “Muscle Walk” – designed to raise funds to help the Muscular Dystrophy Association foster research and provide vital services to families affected by neuromuscular disease.

Learn More About MDA Muscle Walk

On April 19th and 20th, MobilityWorks of New Jersey will host a Pre Expo Open House for the disabled community. Featured in the exhibits are advocacy groups, funding agencies, service organizations, and of course, adaptive driving equipment. This is truly a unique event. Short of traveling to an Abilities Expo (held in May), this is the only venue where a caregiver or someone with a disability can see all of the latest products and services in one setting. Best of all, it's FREE! There will be free lunch and snack foods along with beverages. We plan on giving away several expensive door prizes as well!

Restore the Shore

It seems as though Hurricane Sandy was a long time ago, but many people in our community are still struggling with its effects. It was October 29, 2012 when hurricane force winds landed on the Jersey Shore, destroying homes, trees, vehicles and everything else in its path. Many people on the New Jersey shoreline and in the New York Long Island areas were without power for several weeks or more - in addition to those in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. In the months after Super Storm Sandy, MobilityWorks coordinated with its 24 stores across the country to send and distribute much needed supplies and cash to the area - taking an active part in the "Restore the Shore" campaign. To remember and support those who still are struggling, the first 50 attendees will receive a free Restore the Shore T-Shirt.

Special Pricing and Trade-In Values for Attendees

As one of the largest privately owned mobility dealerships in the country, we will be offering at or below Abilities Expo prices on our current inventory. We will have staff on hand to give you a $1,000 over normal trade-in value, as well as financing information. Our manufacturing representatives will also be available to answer any questions you have on their current manufacturer discounts and incentives.

Meet the Team

Visit the MobilityWorks of New Jersey store web page for more information about MobilityWorks, General Manager Craig Phillips and his team of Certified Mobility Consultants and service technicians. We hope to see you at the Open House!

Google Map to the MobilityWorks Farmingdale Store

Thursday, April 18th - 12117 Princeton Pike Cincinnati, OH 45246

MobilityWorks of Cincinnati will be hosting the area's largest Mobility Expo and Vendor Fair -- with food, fun, raffle prizes and lots of useful information from local and national vendors. Consultants will be on hand from 1 PM to 7 PM to demonstrate and discuss accessible vehicles and home modifications. Professional representatives will also be there for questions and answers about rehabilitation, therapy services, adaptive driving and veterans services. Attendees will also have a chance to win a free iPad! Register to Attend

Each year, MobilityWorks is host to several Mobility Expos held at our various store locations — with food, fun, raffle prizes and lots of useful information from local and national vendors. In addition to demonstrations on assistive technology, accessible vehicles, and home modifications, numerous representatives will answers questions about rehabilitation, adaptive driving, support groups, advocacy and veterans services. Or just come to socialize!

Confirmed Exhibitors

Adapt Solutions
ALS Ohio
Bicks Driving School
B&D Independence
BraunAbility
Brightside SCI Support Group
Bruno Independent Living Aids
Building Blocks For Kids Foundation
Center For Independent Living Options
Leap Beyond Therapy
Mulllaney’s Pharmacy and Medical
Ohio Valley Chapter of the National MS Society
Mobility Products and Design/Veigel
MobilityWorks and MobilityWorks Commercial
Qstraint/Sure-Lok
SureGrip
Transitions Mobility
United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Cincinnati
VA Medical Center – Cincinnati Prosthetics and SCI
Vantage Mobility Incorporated (VMI)
Whole Home Modifications

Register to Attend
Meet the Cincinnati Team: Visit the MobilityWorks of Cincinnati

View Google Map Here

The new Ms. Wheelchair Alabama, Paula Montgomery.

Paula Montgomery Rodney, age 35, was crowned the new Ms. Wheelchair Alabama winner on Saturday March 30, 2013 in Birmingham, Alabama. Paula and her husband reside in Huntsville, Alabama and have two sons. Paula is a survivor of multiple sclerosis and has used a wheelchair since 2005. She describes herself as a compassionate person who is driven and decisive. Her determination is evident through her accomplishments of earning a degree in mathematics from Spelman College as a NASA WISE scholar.

Other contestants who competed in the pageant were Shanae Heard, Linda Tucker, and Charetta Aboraia. To learn more about the Ms. Wheelchair Alabama Foundation, go to www.mswheelchairalabamafoundation.com.

MobilityWorks of Birmingham was a proud sponsor of the Ms. Wheelchair Alabama pageant. CONGRATULATIONS PAULA! For other client news and the latest updates in accessible vans and adaptive vehicle products, visit our blog at www.mobilityworks.com/blog/.

Dean Pells (center) and the MobilityWorks of Albany Team with Brian Harper of BraunAbility (left).

MobilityWorks Albany New York Store Among the Highest in Customer Satisfaction in the USA

Each year, the Ralph Braun Signature Award is presented to only a handful of BraunAbiliy dealerships with the highest average customer satisfaction rates in the country -- based on independent survey results from the previous year. It is our honor to report that our MobilityWorks of Albany (NY) store was presented with this distinguished award for the SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR - and the HIGHEST scores in the Northeast Region.

Congratulations to General Manager Dean Pells and the rest of our Albany Team, as they continue to provide world class customer service year round!

Go to the Albany store web page to learn more and meet the team.

Sam Schmidt and the MobilityWorks of Alabama Team.

Race Team Owener Sam Schmidt brings an odd pairing of two different companies together

What do race cars and wheelchair accessible vans have in common? If you are Sam Schmidt, the answer is everything. Not only does Sam own FAZZT Race Team, an IndyCar team, but also BraunAbility, the world’s largest manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans. This combination may seem unusual at first, but learning about Mr. Schmidt’s history, will make the ownership of both companies a perfect fit.

Like many young people, Sam Schmidt aspired to be a race car driver. At age 31, he achieved his dream and in 1995 was named Rookie of the Year. Sadly, just five years later, Sam would be injured while practicing on the track leaving him a quadraplegic. Although living life in a powered wheelchair instead of a high-powered race car, Sam never lost his love of racing, and he channeled that love by forming his own racing team.

Using a wheelchair, Sam was very familiar with wheelchair accessible vehicles, so when he was approached by Ralph Braun, founder of BraunAbility, about becoming a partner in the company, Sam said yes.

While on his way to the IndyCar races at the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on April 5th, Sam visited MobilityWorks, a BraunAbility dealer. He spent time fellowshipping with the staff and was treated to a tour of the showroom and service department by Ms. Theo Stratos, Regional Manager of MoblityWorks of Birmingham.

To learn more about Sam Schmidt and the foundation he created to fund research of curing paralysis, visit www.samschmidt.org. To learn about wheelchair accessible vans, like the one Sam uses, search our entire inventory of vans for sale at www.mobilityworks.com/inventory.php.

Overcoming multiple surgeries, Connor is now back in school.

Connor was born with arthrogryposis, a rare congenital disorder that affects various joints in the body and muscle development. In this nomination, Jennifer Gill explains how her son keeps his spirits high, despite multiple operations and being in a wheelchair. They are MobilityWorks’ NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month Client Profile #9

From Jennifer Gill

I would love to submit my son for this wonderful giveaway. Connor is the most upbeat kid you could ever know and always tries to keep in good spirits! It is so important to have mobility and NOT having transportation is almost like being grounded forever.

If it were up to Connor he would have the car he is in front of! He loves to go places and be a part of our wonderful community! Having the ability to be an active member would be freedom and enjoyment beyond words I can express as his mother! Connor was born with arthrogryposis and given a DNR letter at birth… which means we were to give up on him and prepare for his funeral. It was the saddest moment of our life, but we did not give up on him, ever.

Connor is a joy to our family and friends and an inspiration to people in our community. He gives back in ways he can and it warms the hearts of many. He will be the first person to say hi and keep your chin up, even when he is feeling down. He has overcome multiple surgeries and illnesses and now is going to school in the city! I cannot imagine if our ability to take him places goes away. He needs this, just like all people who are disabled mobility. He deserves a chance to live his life to the fullest, and I want to be the one to help him achieve his goals and dreams! WE want independence for him! WE want him to live his life for the great kid he is, not because he had limitations, but because he is limitless!!!! Please pass the word and vote for Connor!

To VOTE FOR JENNIFER and CONNOR, go to his NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month entrant page. For you own NMEDA entry, use MobilityWorks DEALER CODE# 64ANK.

Lee Krizka and her service dog Merlot.

Living with a disability since she was 14 years old, peer counselor Lee Krizka helps others to adjust to their new lifestyle. With her service dog Merlot at her side, Lee is making a difference for those who need encouragement and hope. She is MobilityWorks’ NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month Client Profile #8

My name is Lee, I am 41 years old and have been living with a disability since the age of 14. I have rare spinal cord arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), use a manual wheelchair and have an AWESOME service dog, Merlot, who went blind in Sept of 2012.

Merlot and I work at a local hospital in the adult physical rehab department, where I am a peer counselor. Not only is Merlot able to assist me in tasks like pulling my chair, opening doors, picking up dropped items and retrieving my phone, but he also does physical and occupational therapy with patients. We make a great team, both of us proving to those new to disability that you CAN overcome obstacles and challenges! I counsel patients and their families, assisting them with skills and techniques that will help them adjust to an adapted lifestyle.

I am also a public speaker for the Spinal Cord Assoc of IL. I travel to conferences, universities, hospitals etc, speaking about my experience of being a disabled person, as well as educating individuals about service animals. We also are part of the “Think First!!!” program, which caters to school age children. This is an informative presentation in which the children are made aware of spinal cord injuries (SCI), brain injuries (BI) and other disabilities, most which can be prevented through education.

Both Merlot and I are dedicated to living lives that, while WITH a disability, do not DISABLE us. Through our work and programs, we make a difference in others lives. I believe everything happens for a reason. This is what both me and my Merlot were brought together to do... give others HOPE!

To VOTE FOR LEE, go to her NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month entrant page. For you own NMEDA entry, use MobilityWorks DEALER CODE# 64ANK.

If you’re a first-time buyer in search of accessible wheelchair vans, you might be a bit surprised to find that there are quite a bit of decisions to make. Selecting the best vehicle for your needs requires more thought than a typical car purchase, as it will need to cater to your specific lifestyle.

When looking for the best van, consider the following before making a purchase.

1. Safety First.

If you have concerns about the safety of the van, move on to another; driving a wheelchair van that is unsafe in anyway jeopardizes everyone on the road, including yourself. At MobilityWorks, we are recognized by NMEDA as a QAP-certified dealer network. All of our vehicles meet stringent safety and reliability standards set by the industry.

2. Know Your Needs

There is nothing worse than going through the process of buying a car (or anything, for that matter) only to find shortly afterwards that it does not meet all of your needs. Before buying an accessible vehicle, make sure you have all of your needs covered. Some things to consider would be:

• Type of wheelchair the van will be transporting
• Total number of wheelchair and able-bodied passengers
• Type of entry

3. Test Drive

Taking your potential new van out for a test drive is very important. If possible, take the test drive with the wheelchair and the individual that will be using it. Make sure you are comfortable not only with the van’s performance, but with the space and accessibility of the van before making any final decisions.

Considering these three factors will hel you when choosing from a selection of wheelchair accessible vans. And of course, our Certified Mobility Consultants are here to help.

Getting 16 year old Courtney into a van from her wheelchair is getting more difficult for her mother Deborah.

Curtney Kestner was born in 1996 with Cerebral Palsy. In this Mobility Awareness Month video, her mother Deborah demonstrates how hard it is for someone to lift a person from a wheelchair and into a minivan. She is MobilityWorks’ NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month Client Profile #7.

To VOTE FOR COURTNEY, go to her NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month entrant page. For
you own NMEDA entry, use MobilityWorks DEALER CODE# 64ANK.

The Schultz Family enjoying a day in the sun. Krystina, left, requires around the clock care, frequent trips to the doctor and physical therapy.

Despite a rare debilitating genetic disorder and MS in the family, they inspire others to realize that disabilities do not define who they are and that goals in life are attainable. They are MobilityWorks’ NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month Client Profile #6

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE...

No other words in the English language better describes the Schultz family than unconditional love. Laura, a divorced mother of two was set up on a blind date. Her date, Jerry walked in using two canes explaining to Laura that he had MS. Laura spoke of her two kids, Bob her son who is now a fireman in Midlothian, IL and more specifically about her daughter Krystina who has a severely debilitating rare genetic disorder that confines her to a bed and wheelchair. For some blind-daters such news would have been enough to run, but not for these two. Neither were affected by the others life challenges. They fell in love and were married. Laura a mother, wife and caregiver is also a part-time employee for a medical office. Jerry, a 2010 Psychology graduate is currently awaiting acceptance into Chicago State’s Mental Health Counseling Program. Rebecca, the youngest has MS flare ups so bad that she loses all control of her body requiring a wheelchair as well. Despite it all Rebecca is determined to pursue a degree in Radiology at the College of DuPage. Both Jerry and Rebecca hope to inspire others with disabilities to realize that disabilities do not define who you are and that the goals you set in life are attainable. Sadly Krystina will forever require around the clock care.

This family has definitely seen their share of heartache and life’s everyday challenges. With three family members in wheelchairs, traveling as a family is impossible. Their current van only accommodates one wheelchair at a time and makes loading and unloading uncomfortable. This family’s physical disabilities are challenging enough, but it’s worse when your mobility is disabled because your van can’t accommodate trips to the doctor, physical therapy or even the pharmacy. When asked how she does it, Laura replies "You just do. As bad as things have been, and every month it’s something, it can always be worse. Nobody’s going to die from what we have. It’s debilitating, but it’s not as bad as it could be. It could be 100 times worse. We’re all here. We’re still a family".

This family is truly inspiring! That in our opinion is UNCONDITIONAL LOVE and this is why we nominate the Schultz family for a chance to win a desperately needed wheelchair accessible van. They are our heroes, will you help be theirs?

To VOTE FOR THE SCHULTZ FAMILY, go to their NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month entrant page. For you own NMEDA entry, use MobilityWorks DEALER CODE# 64ANK.

Surrounded by family, Kyle Farris, left, and Nathan, right.

Two brothers, both with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and cardiomyopathy, love anything to do with NASCAR. Their mother needs your help to replace an older, unreliable van that doesn’t allow for Nathan to sit up in his chair. Nathan and Kyle are MobilityWorks' NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month Profile #5

From Nathan and Kyle's Mother:

I have two boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, 27 and 21 years old. They are both wheelchair dependent. Kyle, 27, is on a ventilator at all times, has a trach G-tube, and has severe cardiomyopathy. Nathan, 21, he also has cardiomyopathy. Nathan loves to play video games, watch NASCAR and wrestling and shows about cars, loves to get on his computer, and he loves to go for walks. Nathan would love to have a job to design his own video games, since he is very interested in all kinds of video games. Kyle loves to watch TV anything NASCAR and wrestling and car shows and house renovating shows, loves to watch people work in the house or on cars or outside, loves to be outside, get on his computer and go for walks. If he was able to work, he would love to work on cars, do house work, or yard work. Kyle and Nathan always seem to put a smile on the whole family’s faces with their humor, kindness, or happiness.

We have participated in MDA fundraisers in the past and try to do as many of them as we can, but with their conditions sometimes it’s hard. We have done the MDA bowl-a-thons and MDA Lockdown fundraising. We do participate in the MDA fundraisers selling pins or MDA donations in our community.

We do currently have a van, but it is not running right, it’s a 15 passenger which is too big, and I can’t get Nathan in and out without help. I can’t get him in and out by myself because there is no head room to stand and lift him in the seat. He has to sit in the seat, because the doors are not tall enough for his wheelchair and there is no head room for him to sit up in his wheelchair. I can’t always depend on people to help me out, when they work and have lives of their own too. I have to cancel appointments for myself and them. I can’t take them anywhere they want to go. There’s so many places they would love to go. The boys love to fish, go to watch wrestling live, the park, and go shopping. They already have to miss out on enough in their lives, they shouldn’t have to miss out on going fun places they want to go too. Will you please help my family?

To VOTE FOR NATHAN and KYLE, go to their NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month entrant page. To enter your own NMEDA story, use MobilityWorks DEALER CODE# 64ANK.

Pictured are Scott Coots, Certified Mobility Consultant, Gavin Pullen, Service Manager, and Scott Stokes.

Sporty Look Fits Wheelchair Rugby Player

Scott Stokes of Roswell started his spring weekend by driving off in his 2012 Honda Odyssey EXL wheelchair accessible minivan that he purchased from MobilityWorks of Atlanta. What makes Scott’s van special? It’s one of only a few specially designed BraunAbility 40th Anniversary limited edition vans.

Shepherd Center ruby player Scott Stokes at our Atlanta, GA store in his new BraunAbility van.

Scott is a member of the Shepherd Center Rugby Team and travels across the nation playing in tournaments.  When asked what attracted Scott to the BraunAbility 40th Anniversary van, he said it looked "sporty". A transfer seat-base (aka turning automotive seat or TAS) was also installed in the van to help Scott with transferring into the driving position.

The Shepherd Center of Atlanta offers both team and recreational sports for persons with disabilities. To learn more about their programs, visit www.shepherd.org/resources/therapeutic-recreation.

MobilityWorks provides wheelchair accessible vehicles and modifications that help people like Scott to keep moving.  To read about all the products offered by MobilityWorks, visit www.mobilityworks.com.

Not for the Faint of Heart

Nicknamed "murder ball" in 1977 when it was first invented, wheelchair rugby is fast and furious.

Wheelchair rugby (aka quad rugby) combines elements of basketball, hockey, handball and rugby on a hardwood court – where players use a specially designed manual wheelchair. It is played in over twenty countries and is a Paralympic sport.

Casey is an active 17 year old High School student with a great sense of humor. He is planning to go to college after graduating.

At 13 years old, Casey suddenly began feeling severe back pain. A broken blood vessel in his spine had  left him paralyzed. He is our NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month Client Profile #4

Casey was 13 yrs. old and in vocal class at school when he began to experience severe pain in his back. He was taken to the local ER where he soon began to lose feeling in his feet, then his legs and finally his chest. After surgery the next day he was left paralyzed from the upper chest down. (t/2 t/3 level) In the weeks and months following his “injury” he worked hard in physical therapy to gain use of his hands and arms and learn to do everything all over again. Casey kept his spirits up and a smile on his face. He was an inspiration to those around him. Casey went on with his life, singing in the concert choir, speaking at churches, dinners and at a local high school. He plays cello in the school orchestra. He soon joined a sled hockey team and played for two years. Casey’s a hero to his two little nephews here in Ohio who adore him. He has a great sense of humor and is a good friend and mentor to many. He is now 17 yrs old and a Junior in High School. He is part of a volunteer group, (C.H.A.T.) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. He skis in the winter with Three Trackers of Ohio.

Having an accessible vehicle he could also drive would give him the freedom many of his friends enjoy and he would also be able to drive himself to his different activities and to visit his big brother and grandparents on his own. An accessible reliable vehicle would make it much easier for me, his mom to take him places without having to lift his chair in and out of the car. He plans to be working this summer and will go on to college once he graduates, possibly majoring in business.

To VOTE FOR CASEY, go to his NMEDA Mobility Awareness Month entrant page. Use DEALER CODE# 64ANK for your MobilityWorks entry

7 year old Kyla Hartigan lights up a room with her infectious laughter.

Kyla has been an inspiration to every person she meets. She was born 12 weeks premature, spent 16 weeks in the NICU and fought every day to stay with us. As a result of her prematurity, she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy and has very little physical ability. However, she doesn’t let that stop her. She is intellectually on track with her peers and is completely aware of her situation and what she is unable to do. Even so, she is always so positive and does not allow her limitations to get in the way of her happiness, which to me is what makes her so special and inspires me to be a better person. Her smile lights up a room and her laugh is infectious!

Kyla is unable to participate in activities that her sisters and friends can, but she is always there cheering them on. Although she can’t walk, run, jump and play like a typically developing 7 year old, Kyla will bounce around in her wheelchair and pretend to be doing those things.

She does her best in every activity she participates in such as Girl Scouts and Special Needs Art. She participates in every aspect of gym class, although most activities are adapted for her. She never gives up! She continues to fight every day to get stronger and do those daily activities others take for granted such as holding a pencil. She is the youngest of 5 children ages 7-26 and as such our lives are extremely busy. Trying to get around as a family, take our children to school and extracurricular activities, go to doctor’s appointments and therapy sessions without an accessible vehicle is extremely difficult. In the next few months, she will be undergoing major hip surgery, and spinal surgery is also in her future. Her medical, therapy and equipment needs are extremely costly so we have been unable to purchase an accessible vehicle.

What most people take for granted, like a quick trip to the store, is so time consuming for us. Sometimes her chair can’t even travel with us and she has to be carried. A wheelchair accessible vehicle would be life-changing for this little girl who inspires so many others.

To VOTE FOR KYLA, go to her Mobility Awareness Month Entrant Page. Use DEALER CODE# 64ANK for your MobilityWorks entry.