DENTON, Texas, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- For the first time in his 13 years, Dustin Monk will have reason to smile this Christmas. Thanks to a new power wheelchair from The SCOOTER Store (www.thescooterstore.com), Dustin will finally have the mobility and independence most people take for granted.
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Today, just weeks after Dustin's father, Danny Monk, contacted The SCOOTER Store, Mobility Manager Jay Walker, of the Dallas distribution center, presented a power wheelchair to Dustin as part of their "Gift of Mobility" program. The program provides mobility equipment and assistance to those who do not have the resources or insurance coverage to purchase power wheelchairs and scooters.
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Mr. Monk says that until now, "Dustin has never had a real Christmas." Choking back tears, Mr. Monk relates details about Dustin's devastating illnesses and the chaos it has created for the family. Mr. Monk, who by himself supports Dustin and his brother, has been unable to work due to the demands of caring for Dustin.
Dustin was born with Treacher Collins, Gold Harth and Gold Ring syndromes (rare genetic disorders characterized by craniofacial deformities and fast growing bones), and doctors recently found a brain tumor. He has to continually have his face reconstructed so that he can breathe and eat, and he sleeps on a breathing machine at night. His mobility is impacted by his abnormal bone structure and unstable oxygen levels. He spends much of the school day lying on a cot in the nurse's office.
When Dustin was small, his father pushed him everywhere in a jogger stroller. Now too old and big to be pushed in a stroller, Mr. Monk carries his son even though his own mobility is limited because of a nerve disorder and severe arthritis in his back. They have struggled for the smallest bit of mobility for Dustin. Fortunately, the new power wheelchair will make life much easier for Dustin and his father.
Because of this extraordinary gift, Mr. Monk says Dustin will have a chance to "be a normal teenager -- to hang out with his friends, and keep up with them when they are on the go." Mr. Monk knows the chair will be a big help to him too, as he expects it "will change his whole life" because Dustin will be mobile, independent and happy.
Doug Harrison, CEO and Founder of The SCOOTER Store, says, "We are so glad that our Gift of Mobility program will have such a big impact on the Monk family. We are pleased to help young Dustin achieve mobility and independence that will make his adolescence more enjoyable."
Mr. Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002 to help people like Dustin Monk improve their quality of life by improving their freedom, independence and mobility. Since then, the outreach program has worked with organizations around the country to donate power wheelchairs, scooters and manual wheelchairs valued at more than $200,000 a year to individuals and community service organizations, enabling them 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 than 375,000 people with limited mobility. The company offers a full line of durable medical equipment, including power wheelchairs, scooters, lifts, ramps, and accessories in 48 states, including Puerto Rico, with four locations in Texas. Our dedicated staff makes house calls on more than 10,000 homes every month to service people's power mobility needs. We have worked with more than 130,000 physicians, providing expertise and quality service to their patients, and our company is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.
For more information, contact: Lynn Gonzales Communications Manager 830-626-4064
SOURCE The SCOOTER Store
