ROUND ROCK, Texas, April 4, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Last December, James Matthijetz was in the process of rebuilding his life after overcoming testicular cancer. But before he could fully celebrate, the 24-year-old felt his body stiffen while driving, and a trip to the emergency room revealed he had a brain hemorrhage and a minor stroke from a blood clot in his brain.
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Then came more bad news: Mr. Matthijetz's cancer had returned.
As a driver for a construction company, Mr. Matthijetz is used to life on the go. But the young father of a toddler is paralyzed on the left side of this body as a result of his stroke. His lack of health insurance has left him more than $200,000 in debt, and while he needs power mobility equipment to remain independent and positive, Mr. Matthijetz cannot afford it.
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Citing Mr. Matthijetz's courage and resolve, The SCOOTER Store has helped the disabled father by providing him with a power scooter though its Gift of Mobility program. The scooter was delivered by Juan Castor, who is a Mobility Manager at The SCOOTER Store. A softball tournament fundraiser, to help raise money for his ongoing treatment, is being hosted by Mr. Matthijetz's stepfather, Marty, and friends, will take place on Saturday, April 5 at McMaster Fields in Georgetown. Over 40 teams have signed up to play in his honor, and the benefit will include a barbecue and raffle.
Mr. Matthijetz's mother, Brenda, is overwhelmed by The SCOOTER Store's generosity. "We couldn't have asked for anything more," she says. "The scooter donation is just wonderful, and it will definitely help my son become more independent."
Times have been difficult for Mr. Matthijetz. During his initial cancer fight, he endured months of chemotherapy, several hospital stays and biweekly blood tests. When he was given the green light to return to work in November, tests revealed that the cancer had resurfaced in his brain. Mr. Matthijetz's family says he has been given an 85% to 95% chance of a full recovery.
But Mr. Matthijetz's financial burden resulting from mounting medical bills has been equally as stressful. Although his company offers health insurance, Mr. Matthijetz says he misread the paperwork and accidentally declined coverage when he was hired. Although he received some coverage from Medicare during his first round of cancer treatments, Mr. Matthijetz is completely uninsured right now.
Doug Harrison, CEO and Founder of The SCOOTER Store, said he hopes that "the scooter will greatly improve the quality of life for Mr. Matthijetz and his family as he bravely attempts to win his cancer battle. Everyone at the SCOOTER Store is honored to help this young man who has already demonstrated so much strength and courage."
Mr. Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002 to help people like Mr. Matthijetz improve their quality of life by recovering their independence and mobility. Since then, the outreach program has worked with organizations around the world to donate power wheelchairs, scooters and manual wheelchairs valued at more than $200,000 a year to community service organizations, enabling them to provide freedom and independence to individuals with limited mobility.
About The SCOOTER Store
Since 1991, The SCOOTER Store has helped provide freedom and independence to more than 300,000 people with limited mobility. The SCOOTER Store offers a full line of durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs and scooters, lifts, ramps and accessories in 47 states, including seven locations in Texas. The SCOOTER Store has worked with more than 100,000 physicians, providing expertise and quality
