POWER SCOOTERS

One power scooter donation has led to another and another and another...and DREAM ONE WORLD is now becoming known for gifting these to people who need them!

For example, we received a phone call in 2009 from Esther Carr, who wanted to donate a power scooter from a family member who no longer needed it.

(Left to right: Jerry Griffin, Esther Carr, her husband Douglas Carr, and Bob Thompson)

She called the scooter manufacturer in Sacramento, CA, from the number on the label, asking if they knew of anyone in her area that helped find people to use donated power scooters...

They told her to contact DREAM ONE WORLD. Our Director of Rejuvenation, Bob Thompson, got on it immediately, and within days, the transfer was made.

Thanks to Esther's generosity, an incredible woman is now mobile again. Here is her story, sent by her uncle, Jerry Griffin:

"My niece Cassie Moore lives in Windsor, CA. About 11 years ago she became ill with flesh eating bacteria. She was in intensive care in San Francisco for over a month.

During that time her body shut down to save her vital organs. In doing so, her extremities were not getting any blood. She subsequently lost nine out of ten fingers, a leg, and a foot.

She has since recovered remarkably well. She is able to do many things, but walking long distances on her prosthetic leg is painful. Having the scooter will allow her to lead a more normal life.

She will again be able to walk her dog and keep up with her children."

From Cassie:

"I want to thank you so much for the scooter you donated to me. I have lost some mobility in the last couple of years, and this will help me maintain my active lifestyle.

Once again, thank you for your generosity.

Best Regards,

Cassie Moore"

On September 5, 2008, a wonderful exchange was made.

After reading an article about DREAM ONE WORLD in her local newspaper, Ruth Schomaker contacted DREAM ONE WORLD Founder/Director Kathy Chism and asked if she knew someone who could use a power scooter in excellent condition that her mother Gladys Rupp could no longer use.

Kathy put Dreamworker Bob Thompson on it immediately, and within 24 hours he had connected with Katherine Moore, a woman in her 40's who was born with Cerebral Palsy...and she desperately needed a scooter.

Front row left to right: Ruth Schomaker, Gladys Rupp, and Katherine Moore in her new scooter! Back row left to right: Bob Thompson, Bill Chretien, Kathy Chism, and Jason Carlin.

The arrangements were made, and everyone met at the Senior Center in Petaluma where Gladys lives. Bill Chretien of Redwood Empire Medical Supply also appeared at the exchange to see if the scooter needed a tune-up. It did need new batteries and air in the tires, so Bill took it back to his shop and donated his labor and two large batteries.

Katherine is thrilled to now be able to maneuver far more easily in the world, and we are grateful to everyone who contributed to this DREAM ONE WORLD moment...including Nicolas Grizzle, who wrote an article about this for The Community Voice!

(See "Press" page at left under "Media.")

Now, here is an example of the power for good from the media!!!

The following all happened because of that Community Voice article, which Yvonne Van Dyke saw.

Yvonne then very kindly donated her late husband's power wheelchair and rolling walker to DREAM ONE WORLD. Volunteer Dreamworker/U.S. Postal Carrier Bob Thompson mentioned the gifts to Linda Trujillo Valenzuela on his route.

Linda immediately told Bob about her daughter-in-law Yeadlis Uretea, and from her story there was no doubt we needed to gift the power wheelchair to her.

Bill Cretien and Valerie Fallon of Redwood Empire Medical Supply kindly donated their time to check over each piece and found both to be in perfect condition.

Linda sent us the following letter, along with this photo of Yeadlis:

Hello to all that work at DREAM ONE WORLD...

My name is Linda Trujillo and my daughter-in-law's name is Yeadlis Uretea. I got involved with DREAM ONE WORLD through Bob Thompson, our mailman.

My daughter-in-law was shot by a bullet in 2006. She was six months pregnant at the time and my grandson was taken out of her very early.

Yeadlis is now paralyzed even though the bullet was not meant for her. She and her family were coming home from a family party when a stray bullet hit her father and then went straight through her.

She is now in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

One day, out of the blue, Bob our mailman asked me if I knew anyone that needed a power wheelchair. It just so happened that a week before I had begun putting money away to save for a wheelchair Yeadlis wanted.

When Bob told me he had one and would love to give it to me for her all I could do is thank him and let everyone know in my office how wonderful it was for him and Yvonne to be so kind and give this wheelchair to my daughter-in-law.

I called Yeadlis' mother to let her know that I have a surprise for Yeadlis and what it is, but not to tell Yeadlis just yet as I would like to surprise her with it and enjoy her tears along with mine.

I don't know how to say thanks enough to DREAM ONE WORLD, Bob Thompson, Bill and Valerie at Redwood Empire Medical Supply, and especially Yvonne Van Dyke, the donor of the chair, for making this happen and making life easier for Yeadlis.

Best of all, Yeadlis will now get to put my grandson on it and ride him around.

God bless all of you who had something to do with this, and keep up the good work.

Sincerely yours,

Linda Trujillo Valenzuela

I don't know how to say thanks enough to DREAM ONE WORLD, Bob Thompson, Bill and Valerie at Redwood Empire Medical Supply, and especially Yvonne Van Dyke, the donor of the chair, for making this happen and making life easier for Yeadlis.

Best of all, she will now get to put my grandson on it and ride him around.

(Yvonne and Linda, who is holding the photo of Yeadlis)

God bless all of you who had something to do with this, and keep up the good work.

Sincerely yours,

Linda Trujillo Valenzuela

As for the rolling walker, Bob Thompson placed that with North Bay Industries in Rohnert Park, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing employment opportunities and non-vocational programs including housing to people with disabilities.

It will be kept at the entry for any disabled customers who need to use it while there.

Many thanks again to Yvonne, Bob, Bill, and Valerie for all their wonderful efforts!