I was recently very pleased to be one of the links in a chain of events that helped a Bronx man regain his mobility.

Guy Richman is a powered wheelchair user who found himself powerless when his wheelchair broke down. Trapped in his Bronx home and unable to find a wheelchair repair service to help him, Guy reached out by posting an S.O.S. on New Mobility Magazine’s Facebook page.

The New Mobility folks quickly passed the cry for help along to United Spinal’s Assistive Technology program and a wheelchair repair technician from United Spinal’s Wheelchair Medic program was sent out the very next day to get Guy up and rolling.

But that appeared to be only the tip of the iceberg. After speaking with Guy and getting a handle on his situation, it became obvious that more than his wheelchair and repair support had fallen apart. The system that he has paid into for most of his life seems to also have fallen apart and is unable to deliver the assistance and services that would maintain his independence and dignity.

“But the once active soundman and native Long Islander who has worked with bands including The Rascals, Vanilla Fudge, and The Ramones, is still struggling to get his life back on track since his injury. Like many other people living with spinal cord injuries, Guy has been confronted with great adversity in reclaiming his independence.

Having spent time living in a homeless shelter, Richman is presently unemployed and lives with his three teenage boys and wife in a dilapidated apartment near Yankee Stadium through assistance from the New York City Department of Homeless Services (DHS). “

Read the entire story: http://www.unitedspinal.org/2011/03/04/wheelchair-user-trapped-in-home/