The SCOOTER Store Donates Scooter to Hit-and-Run Accident Victim

LOS ANGELES, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- One minute Annabelle Ward and her young daughter were crossing a street while walking their two dogs. The next, they had shattered legs and pelvises and one of their dogs was dead. A speeding car had struck them all with a horrifying impact, leaving them to put the pieces of their lives back together.

In the nearly two years since the accident, Ward has lost her mobility, job, car and home. Although Ward's daughter is almost completely recovered, Ward still suffers. She is confined to a wheelchair, while some bones in her left leg are still healing. She can't afford the medical procedures she needs to regain her ability to walk again.  

At the time of the accident, KROQ movie reviewer Ralph Garman and his wife were dining at a sidewalk cafe and were witnesses. Garman went on air with the story, interviewing the investigating officer and tried to help identify and capture the hit-and-run driver. He's also asked the local community to pitch in and help the Ward family.

Darren Troilo, a marketing analyst at The SCOOTER Store's world headquarters in New Braunfels, Texas, heard the broadcast on his favorite show from his hometown and had to do something. On Friday, The SCOOTER Store provided Ward with a four-wheel Go-Go Elite Traveler Plus scooter at her home in Valley Village. On hand from The SCOOTER Store's Los Angeles operations was Distribution Center Manager Jason Moore to make the presentation. The scooter was donated under The SCOOTER Store 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.

The scooter will help Ward overcome the loss of her mobility. She can once again do some of the most important things a single mother needs to do to take care of her family.

"This true tragedy reached from southern California all the way to South Texas, and touched several of our employee-owners along the way; we had to help," said Doug Harrison, Founder, President and CEO of The SCOOTER Store. "We started the Gift of Mobility program because we understand what mobility, and the ensuing independence, can do for someone who loses their ability to get around so suddenly and accidentally. We are humbled by the strength Annabelle has shown in moving on and hope the scooter makes that path a little smoother for her."

Harrison and his wife, Susanna, started the Gift of Mobility program in December 2002 to help people improve their quality of life by assisting in achieving their independence and mobility. Since then, the outreach program has worked with nonprofit groups around the country to donate power wheelchairs, scooters and manual wheelchairs, valued at more than $350,000 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 people with limited mobility than any other company in the nation. The company primarily offers power mobility equipment, including power wheelchairs, scooters, lifts, ramps, and accessories, in 48 states. Using this equipment provides seniors an alternative to living in nursing homes or other care facilities. The company's goal is to create an opportunity for every American senior to live their entire life safely and confidently at home. The SCOOTER Store was recently recognized by FORTUNE magazine in its prestigious "100 Best Companies to Work For" in America for the second time. The company is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care.

SOURCE The SCOOTER Store