The SCOOTER Store Donates Power Chair to Plimoth Plantation Prized Employee
PLYMOUTH, Mass.-(Business Wire)-September 15, 2009 - For the past five years, Bob Charlebois has helped visitors find their way around Plimoth Plantation’s Wampanoag Homesite at the nonprofit living history museum dedicated to the Native Wampanoag and Colonial English people of the 17th century in Plymouth. This dedicated museum employee educates visitors about the history of indigenous people and how his culture influenced the area. Now he is in need of help to continue moving around the museum and educating generations of museum guests.
A member of the Sokoki Nation, Odanak First Nation, of Quebec, Charlebois had polio as a child and suffered some mobility limitations as a result. The last few years he has relied heavily on a power wheelchair for mobility. However, more than two weeks ago, that chair broke forcing him to become homebound and rely on crutches. Without a working chair, it was impossible for Charlebois to continue his work at Plimoth Plantation. The museum wasn’t the same without him, so Plimoth Plantation Development Associate Chris Raus tried to replace the damaged unit but couldn’t find a way. Then she called The SCOOTER Store.
This morning, The SCOOTER Store, along with Plantation, provided a Pride Mobility Jazzy power chair to Charlebois at the museum. On hand at the presentation from The SCOOTER Store’s Concord, N.H., operations were Distribution Center Manager Brian Coggeshall, Mobility Manager Richard Ellsworth and Healthcare Relations Consultant Ken Pruyn. The power chair was donated under the company’s “Gift of Mobility” program, which provides mobility equipment and assistance to those who do not have the resources or insurance to obtain power wheelchairs and scooters.
“Without a working chair, coming to work and being a part of this museum family has become impossible for him,” said Raus. “Just getting dressed, getting to work and then navigating down to the Wampanoag Homesite or Crafts Center, where he interacts with Plimoth Plantation guests on a daily basis, can be an insurmountable struggle without the help of a working chair. He is a role model of perseverance, and we are very proud of what he contributes on a daily basis.”
The power chair will mean Charlebois can return to his job as Native interpreter immediately. The museum frequently receives letters and comments from museum guests who praise him for the amazing job he does at connecting with visitors from all walks of life.
“People like Bob help us appreciate our rich history, cultural roots and the communities that make up our great nation,” said Doug Harrison, Founder, President and CEO of The SCOOTER Store. “Now he can continue doing what he loves at the museum along with living his day-to-day life. We are proud to provide this gift that will help him regain his freedom and independence.”
Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002 to help people like Bob Charlebois improve their quality of life by improving their independence and mobility. Since then, this outreach program has worked with organizations around the country to donate power wheelchairs, scooters and manual wheelchairs to individuals and community service organizations, fulfilling the mission of The SCOOTER Store to provide freedom and independence to people with limited mobility.
About The SCOOTER Store
Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more people with limited mobility than any other company in the nation. Forty percent employee-owned, the company primarily offers power mobility equipment, including power wheelchairs, scooters, lifts, ramps, and accessories in 48 states and Puerto Rico. The SCOOTER Store has an estimated 30 percent of the current U.S. market in the DME industry and is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. The goal of The SCOOTER Store is to create an opportunity for every American senior to live their entire life safely and confidently at home.
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