Blogs

7/6/10

Finding a new wheelchair for someone isn't as easy as you may think. Many hours go into getting the best chair to meet the medical and physical needs of each recipient. When it all comes together, we have the special opportunity of capturing the moment and sharing the story with the volunteers, donors, and supporters who make it all possible. David's story is just another example of how we are helping Move People Forward! 

In April we received an application for a power wheelchair from David who lives on the Eastside of Michigan. David was in need of a power wheelchair with some pretty advanced seating functions. As soon as we had all the necessary papers we went to work on a chair we thought would work best for David. We actually worked on  three different power wheelchairs before we settled on the chair that would provide the most support and comfort for David. As the final adjustments were made to the chair we contacted our friends at Wright and Filippis and arranged for the chair to be delivered to the facility where David lives. We were surprised when a few days later we heard the facility was not going to allow David to use the power wheelchair we worked so hard on getting for him. 

We continued working closely with Louie Escudero, David's physical therapist, as he and David’s family members explained the benefits this chair would give David. Thankfully, the facility agreed to let David use the chair and we received the following photo and letter of appreciation from Louie and David: 

Dear Liz & Matt, 

I am writing you on behalf of David, to give you a million thanks for the electric wheelchair that you gave us. It has given David a new lease on life as he is now able to be mobile and to attend to his daily activities. The first time he laid eyes on the wheelchair, he wanted to get on it! I finally persuaded him and his family that we needed the experts from Wright and Filippis to show us the many functions of this wheelchair. Thank you also for the instruction manuals that you gave us-it will be a big help. I am glad you were patient with us, for a while there i thought we might not be able to receive the wheelchair. I’m glad everything worked out. 

I’m sending you a picture of David in the wheelchair (with yours truly). I consider myself lucky to have been a part of this. Your organization has given me hope and fulfillment, of just  being able to make a difference in someone’s life. You are all saints and have a special place in heaven. 

Thank you! 

Sincerely, 

Louie Escudero, PT 

If you enjoy reading stories like this, click the Donate Now Button and help us continue to Give the Gift of Mobility. Your donations make these stories possible. Thank you for your support!

June 4, 2010

Dear Friends,

After years of cajoling by my wife Gail, and recently by my friend, and our Board President, Marathon Don Kern, I will be attempting to run my first marathon at age 54.  All 26.2 miles. Yikes! My attempt will be made on June 19, 2010 at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, MN along the beautiful shores of Lake Superior. 

I am going to run this marathon as a fundraiser for Alternatives in Motion, an organization close to my heart. To those who don’t know, Alternatives in Motion provides wheelchairs to people without insurance or government assistance. I’m also going to run this for a person I just met. Over my 15 years at AIM no recipient has inspired me as much as Dr. Becky Garcia.  We recently provided her with a light weight titanium manual wheelchair on May 8.

Last week, our board president Don Kern and I visited with Becky in Hillsdale, Michigan. A gifted person, Dr. Garcia graduated from Onsted High School, and 3 weeks later she graduated from U of M, and entered U of M Medical School. She finished med school quickly, completed her internships and became chief of staff of an emergency room in a Miami hospital for many years. Becky also started a free clinic, and saw patients from 7:00am to 7:00pm one day a week. She made a difference in lives of many.

In 2002 everything dramatically changed for Becky. While Christmas shopping Becky had left a store to cross a street when suddenly a motorist ran the red light, hitting Becky in the crosswalk.  The car dragged her 50 feet.   Her own medevac helicopter brought her to the emergency room where her staff saved her life. Hospitalization lasted for 14 months.  Complications followed including blood clots impairing her vision, and she also had flair up of Lupus, which was always under control before the accident. Becky moved back home to Michigan and lives in Hillsdale to have family nearby.

Now 8 years since the accident, Becky needed a wheelchair. Her insurance will not provide one for a year and half.   We had in the warehouse the perfect wheelchair for most of her needs, and we arranged to have Gail and I deliver the wheelchair on the way to my daughter’s graduation from Hillsdale College on May 8. Perfect.  Becky was thrilled.

Two weeks later as Don and I visited with Becky and learned the details about her traumatic life-changing event, her phone rang 3 times, and a person delivered food.  Another delivered flowers from an admirer.  She laughed a lot.  A pastor called her for inspiration in dealing with a sick member of his congregation. I could see that this woman was still making a difference in the lives of so many people. Grace has a way of working like that.

Don and I also discovered that what Becky really needs is a power wheelchair or scooter. Her old one is broken down, so she cannot use it to get out independently and visit downtown Hillsdale, only a few blocks away. But Becky couldn’t bring herself to ask for help with something so expensive.  She would simply make do, and thanked us profusely over and over again for giving her a manual wheelchair. Result: we will give Becky a power chair or scooter as soon as possible.

Alternatives in Motion operates 100% on charitable support. I am dedicating my run to raise money for this outstanding mission, and for Becky Garcia, who was a runner herself at one time, and for all the people who need our help with mobility.

Please join me in supporting Alternatives in Motion by sponsoring me as I run Grandma’s Marathon June 19. My goal is to raise $5,000. Any amount will help us move closer to this goal.  You can donate easily and securely through Paypal on the bottom of this page, or you can make out a check made payable to Alternatives in Motion and reference George’s Marathon. As donations are tax deductible you will be mailed a receipt from AIM for your records.

I hope you will consider this opportunity to support an organization that has helped hundreds of people in Michigan and the Midwest get the wheelchairs they need.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

George Ranville
Executive Director
Alternatives in Motion
201 Matilda NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503

5/26/10

Incase you missed it on facebook or twitter, I wanted to brag about Alternatives in Motion and a recent opportunity we had to share our message.

In March we were nominated for the WOOD TV 8 Connecting with Community Award for our collaboration with Carelinc Home Medical and Wright & Filippis, two wheelchair vendors here in Grand Rapids. The Connecting with Community Award recognizes groups that have developed strong partnerships and collaborations with other organizations to make a positive impact on the West Michigan Community.

Our partnership is unique in the fact that we have two for profit competitors coming together to help their nonprofit counterpart. Both of these companies have played a key role in the success of Alternatives in Motion over the last several years by supporting us financially, helping with wheelchair repairs and deliveries, and sharing their knowledge of the medical equipment industry with us so we can better serve our recipients. Together we all share the common goal of making life better for individuals with disabilities.

As one of eight finalists nominated for the award, WOOD TV aired a short segment about our partnership during two of their news broadcasts and featured Alternatives in Motion on eightWest. In addition we had the opportunity to attend the Connecting with Community Awards presentation at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum on Thursday May 13, 2010 with our friends from Wright & Filippis and Andrew, one of our recent recipients. 

The 2010 Connecting with Community Award winner was Recreation Reaps Rewards, a great program that provides after school programming for youth in Grand Rapids. Despite not winning the award, we were honored to be a part of this special event. At the end of the night it was obvious that Grand Rapids has some amazing organizations doing remarkable things to make our community a better place to live, work, and grow up.

I want to thank WOOD TV and their community partners from Art Van Furniture, Metro Health Hospital, Grand Rapids, Community College, and Huntington Bank for giving organizations like Alternatives in Motion the opportunity share our story with the residents of West Michigan.

Click on the video below to see how Alternatives in Motion is Connecting with Community: 

~Matt Chapman
Director of Marketing & Special Events

5/17/10

In life there are a lot of people you want on your team. For us, there isn’t a better group of people to have on our team than our friends from Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. Mary Free Bed has been one of our biggest supporters since day one and we always say, “If Mary Free Bed doesn’t believe in what we do, there is no reason to do it.”

Over the years we have met many great people who work for Mary Free Bed and are dedicated to making life better for people with disabilities. It is because of our unique partnership with the hospital that we have been able to expand our knowledge of mobility issues and help more people in need. Through sharing or exchanging of equipment we work together to solve problems and promote independence and mobility.

Again this year our friends have stepped up to serve as a platinum sponsor for the “What’s Your Handicap?” Golf Classic. We would like to say thank you to Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital for all they do to help us Give the Gift Of Mobility.

~Matt Chapman
Director of Marketing & Special Events 

5/13/10

Fifteen year’s ago Johnnie Tuitel & George Ranville founded Alternatives in Motion with the goal of helping individuals find solutions for their mobility issues. What started out as a dream has blossomed into an organization that assists nearly 100 individuals each year with unmet mobility needs.

Starting a new nonprofit organization is difficult and many fail after the first few years. Operating a nonprofit organization year after year takes passion, persistence, and strong guidance from people who are knowledgeable in issues facing the nonprofit sector.

We’ve been fortunate enough to have that knowledge and guidance from the dedicated staff of H & S Companies since the very beginning. Dan Slate and his staff of certified public accountants have been tremendous supporters of Alternatives in Motion and have guided us through good times and bad. Along the way, we’ve had the opportunity to watch H & S Companies grow and become a recognizable firm in West Michigan.

We would like to thank Dan, Lisa, Mary Sue, and the rest of the staff at H & S Companies for their continued support and dedication of our mission.

H & S Companies 2010 “What’s Your Handicap?” Golf Classic Gold Sponsor

~Matt Chapman
Director of Marketing & Special Events