An example of equipment that is not funded by AADL and needed for independence is a wheelchair elevate. The elevate is a specialized mechanism that elevates the seat of the power chair to allow the user to get to a higher level, up to five feet. Violet used this device for ten years before she needed to purchase a new one. This piece of equipment costs approximately $2800, and Violet and her family were struggling to afford it. Violet remembers that before she got it, she would often not be able to see the food on her stove, at times throwing away food or undercooking it, because of the stove’s elevation above her eye level, and rendering the cooking experience frustrating and unsafe. Within days of her application, she was approved and received part of the money required to purchase the equipment. For Violet it “made the world of difference” as she is now able now to see better what is on the oven, reach out into her cupboards, fridge, and high shelves she was not able to in the past. More than that Violet can enjoy her daughter’s horse-riding shows, as she can elevate herself above the rails. Lastly, she can now allow herself to go out to pubs and bars with friends and sit at the high tables, without the need of reserving a regular height table ahead of time or changing the place due to lack of accessibility. “I got this extra freedom I didn’t even know existed. It is so much easier now!” she says.

Dema is an example of someone for whom a standard equipment does not work. Dema has been a quadriplegic since the age of three, when a medical error, caused a spinal cord injury. Dema lives with a husband who is also a wheelchair user and takes care of a son with a Down’s Syndrome. Due to lack of stair lifts in her house and garage (that are also not covered by AADL), everyday she needs to crawl on her hands to the top floor dragging her wheelchair with her. This ordeal is a daily routine for Dema, who lives on a fixed income. Recently due to shoulder pain and a dangerous fall, Dema has decided to try and get a different type of a wheelchair from AADL, one that is smaller and lighter and a better fit for her needs. This chair was only partially funded by the government, and so she has turned to SCI-AB for help. With some help from the community and SCI-AB, after a year and a half of trying to find pockets of funding she was able to finally purchase the chair. She is very happy that she can maneuver in and out of her house with ease and transfer in and out of her vehicle.    

Dave lives in the country and needs to wheel his chair on a rough terrain daily. He needed proper tires and suspension for his wheelchair to prevent further injury, and ease the back and shoulder pain. Shortly after applying for help to SCI-AB, he was able to receive the funds he needed to equip his wheelchair with proper tires and suspension and now can move freely on his property, “without feeling every bump.” He says: “I live in the country, and the terrain is rough, and every time I have to jump, the shock travels through the ground and to my back, and it is very painful. Now it is more comfortable and easier to get around.”

Perry received support towards repairs on his manual wheelchair that had broken front caster and fork, new bearings, as well as repairs for his Roho mattress insert, which protects the user from pressure sores. Perry lives on a fixed income in an affordable housing building, so every dollar makes a difference. After talking to SCI-AB, and getting the support in a very short time, he says: “I was worried one moment, and the next I wasn’t.” For Perry any help is a big help, but what mattered the most was that SCI-AB came through very quickly and he did not have to wait long or advocate for himself: “If I didn't get this help, I would see a darker future, there is no way I could find another funding source… also there is a lot of red tape to jump through, I would have not being able to move around it.” These items meant health, safety, and independence for Perry, “Things like the Helping Way Fund give independence back to people who have lost it and I want everyone to know, that we are grateful!”

David lives on an acreage alone and loves his independence. He has received assistance from the fund as it allowed him to get an Aqua Bath lift with new battery as well as years before support in purchasing a hospital bed. Just recently he was able to get a scooter that was donated to SCI-AB by a community member, and he could not be happier. He says: “I have my own projects every day that I need to do. I need to keep myself occupied and I like my independence!” David is now able to move around more freely and play outside with his grandchildren!