CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- It's a Wednesday afternoon at Devices 4 The Disabled, 2701 36th Place, and occupational therapist Jessica Peterson is fitting a wheelchair for a client who suffers from severe rheumatoid arthritis.
"This is called a standard power wheelchair," said Peterson, as she fits and adjusts the device.
"Everything you see in this room was donated to us," said Bob Shea, CEO, Founder, Devices 4 The Disabled.
Shea started the non-profit after his own health crisis and his friend Ed Kane's need for a wheelchair after being diagnosed with ALS.
"He had insurance, but it only covered $2,500 for a wheelchair, but the power wheelchair he needed was $30,000. Without that wheelchair, he would've had to stop working, lay in bed until he passed away. He was able to take it out of his 401K, but not everyone can do that and he shouldn't have had to do that. That money was for his wife, but without the wheelchair he would've lost his life."
Shea said that's how D4D was born.
"We have everything in here. Hospital beds, shower chairs and commodes, walkers, crutches, power wheelchairs, and pediatric equipment. If people can't come get the equipment, we can deliver it to them," Shea said.
Shea said there are 600,000 Chicagoans living with disabilities, but Medicare rules often stand in the way of people getting needed equipment.
"There's no place for these people to come and get equipment if you happen to fall into the gaps of the system," he said.
Over four short years, his inventory has exploded and so has the need.
"We see about 50 people a month. I have a staff of four with an occupational therapist from Shirley Ryan who helps adjust and fit the equipment, but I have many people who volunteer their time. We see much more complex cases now. We get complex wheelchairs we'll adapt to someone who has had a spinal chord injury. We see people who are referred by hospitals and clinics," he said.
For people like Janet, the free wheelchair is life changing.
"Ed didn't have a place like this when he needed a wheelchair. He and I just had an idea and a cheesy brochure," he laughed. "Ed was a difference maker in his life..."
Shea said it's been an amazing journey for the last 4 years.
"Every piece of equipment you see, from a cane to a complex wheelchair, somebody's generosity resulted in that being here and somebody's life will be touched because of that generosity," Shea said.
Learn more about Devices 4 The Disabled by visiting supportD4D.org.
