July 20, 2005
Clinic provides wheelchair tune-up
Northern Michigan Helping Hands free event cleans and repairs 19 wheelchairs
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Wielding wrenches and a rag, Bob Merrill spiffed up and repaired as needed 19 wheelchairs Friday.
The service manager of Access Michigan Mobility Center, Merrill donated his time and talents to help wheelchair users from around the region. Holding court in back of the Traverse City Fire Station on Front Street, Merrill efficiently checked over each component and cleaned everything to a sparkling shine.
With the cost of a typical in-home service call running a minimum of $105, the free tune-up clinic was appreciated.
"This would not be done otherwise," said John Wonsey of Traverse City, relaxing in his wheelchair shortly after Merrill's tune-up. "Usually the wheels or tires wear out, just like a regular tire can go out of whack, alignment, this can do it, too."
Northern Michigan Helping Hands chipped in to defray the cost of the tune-ups and minor repairs. A new non-profit agency formed this March, Northern Michigan Helping Hands' mission is to help people with disabilities become more independent.
The organization began when Easter Seals pulled out of Traverse City. Liz Hughes of Cedar worked with that Easter Seals for ten years and, when they stopped services locally last year, decided to found an organization to replace it in the region. Continuing the annual wheelchair tune-up clinic was an easy decision. Northern Michigan Helping Hands also offers a loan closet for wheelchairs, canes, walkers and commodes.
"That was the sad part when Easter Seals left, this was gone," noted Hughes of the tune-up clinic. "We're doing the same programs now and the same clinics, it's just a different name."
Hughes noted that the 19 people who asked for a tune-up Friday was a record for the wheelchair clinic.
"There have been years where we've had three or four," said Hughes, adding she did not know why this year's numbers jumped.
During his check of each wheelchair, Merrill examined tires, brakes, upholstery, bushings and all mechanical parts. Users, spouses and caregivers brought both mechanical and power wheelchairs to the four-hour clinic.
"There are lots of things to check, especially in mechanical chairs," said Merrill, who clocks 50,000 miles a year driving to cover his territory, which is all of northern Michigan plus some counties in the Upper Peninsula.
Laurie Andrews, co-owner of Access Michigan Mobility Center, said her company has been part of the clinics for at least eight years. For people who use them, wheelchairs are a crucial link in mobility that require an annual tune up to keep them going. The company holds clinics throughout their region because many people with disabilities have transportation barriers.
"We set them [the clinics] up in the towns where we feel there's a need or if people request them," Andrews said. "We service close to 100 people just through that. We also go into senior homes and senior centers."
Ernest Cox of Traverse City succinctly summarized the reasons he brought his wife's power chair to Merrill for a check-up.
"I like the free part and the gentleman that works on them seems to know what he's doing," said Cox, who brought his wife's mechanical chair to the local clinic two years ago.