Skip to main content

Society of the Traveling Chair

Polar Express in Bryson City, NC




On Wednesday, an activity chair was delivered to our home. It had been a year long process, and we were excited to receive it. The technician, Mike, who delivered the equipment was one of those people you connect with immediately. He was friendly and informative, and he was good at his job. I know how to move that activity chair in every way possible because of Mike's lesson, and that was no small feat. It was obvious he liked his job and the group of clients he served.

At home in Charlotte


After he gave us a thorough lesson on how to use the activity chair, I asked him some questions about the Convaid Stroller he delivered to Ben at school in early April. I was not there for that delivery so I did not know all the features. I mentioned that I had Ben's old Convaid Convertible Chair and that I had exhausted my resources to find a home for it. With its broken axle, no one could or would take it. In all other respects, the chair was in great condition. We had new parts exchanged for some of the old just a few months prior to it breaking. It felt weird to put it in the garbage, so it had been sitting in our attic waiting for just this type of connection.

Watching a show at Founder's Hall in Charlotte

Instantly, Mike had our solution. He volunteers with Friends of Disabled Latin Americans, a faith based organization in South Carolina that helps get equipment to people in need. A group of retired engineers, welders, technicians and other interested folks get broken medical equipment, fix them with spare parts and then ship them to people in Latin America.





At our favorite restaurant

I am happy to know that Ben's chair will find a good home. That chair has been up and down the east coast from New York to Disney World, from the beaches to the mountains, and from school and back countless times. It has been on trains, planes and boats. Ben has clocked many miles walking around our neighborhood to and from the YMCA, Smelly Cat and the park.
It has served Ben and our family well. We have many good memories of Ben in that chair and now another child will be able to build some new ones in it. 

Comments

  1. Mike F.May 2, 2014 at 9:36 PM

    It's my extreme pleasure to have met and served Ben and your wonderful family! I feel so honored that you would take the time to acknowledge me in my humble effort to provide the best service to deliver a quality product that will help Ben continue on his "Journey" with the new "Traveling Chair" and to allow those fond memories of the previous chair to bring joy to the next owner! Thank You! **Mike**

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thank you for reading my post. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. If you wish to contact me directly, please let me know and I will email you.

Popular posts from this blog

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities

  "Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities" is a series on eSpeciallyBen. As Ben approached 18, it was clear our role changed as parents. We needed to help Ben transition into adulthood. These stories are meant to assist other families who face, or will face, some of the same challenges. Talking About the Future Guest Post - Matt Wilson Legal Guardianship, Medicaid and SSI Researching Group Homes Questions to Ask at a Group Home Visit Referral Packet for Group Homes Getting Assistance from a Care Manager From Group Home Placement to Discharge Reaching for Independence
1 comment
Read more

Make this Race Amazing

Mecklenburg County's Therapeutic Recreation's Amazing Race is Saturday, March 24, 2012. All funds raised go directly to the scholarship fund for summer camp. Summer Camp is 8 weeks long with over 150 children with special needs participating. Last year, over $6,500 was given away in scholarships. In times of budget cuts and loss of resources, Amazing Race is a creative way for the staff to raise money for the children who may need financial assistance attending camp. I will be posting photos from 2011 camp. I am only posting photos that do not show faces of the children, but you will get the idea about how much they enjoy the activities. You don't have to see their smiles, you just have to feel them. The staff have sent me their thoughts on how they feel about camp and I will be posting those as well. Most are trained as recreational therapists and have devoted their life's work to helping children and adults with special needs learn skills, make friends, de...
Post a Comment
Read more

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

After my post, Brotherly Love , I received an email from a reader who reminded me of this song. I knew the song, but had never really thought about the words and the meaning behind them. I looked it up and thought others might see the lyrics in a new light.   He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where Who knows when But I'm strong Strong enough to carry him He ain't heavy, he's my brother. So on we go His welfare is of my concern No burden is he to bear We'll get there For I know He would not encumber me If I'm laden at all I'm laden with sadness That everyone's heart Isn't filled with the gladness Of love for one another. It's a long, long road From which there is no return While we're on the way to there Why not share And the load Doesn't weigh me down at all He ain't heavy, he's my brother. He's my brother He ain't h...
1 comment
Read more