Road to Independence

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I reported to work at the Y last week. During my break I met a long time acquaintance and exchanged “HIs” and “HELLOs”. It’s been a long time too since I last talked to this wheelchair-bound young happy and friendly guy whom I met years ago as he was alighting from that special van on his wheelchair.

I admire this guy’s cheerful and carefree spirit. He seems to be always happy and unwary of his physical limitations. And despite his disability he possesses a unique sense of independence that I couldn’t imagine. He would move around the gym in his “wheelchair “from one gym equipment to another doing sets of exercises and would stop to greet people who would come and go to the gym.

Well, after my shift I met him again on his way out and bade goodbye. He was safely and smoothly wheeled by his handler back into that special white van. Next week, I will surely see him again and hope we can have a few minutes chat like we used to.

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Isn't it nice that this kind of specially-made vehicle is available to our friends and loved ones with physical disabilities? Isn't it great that with this kind of vehicle, our physically challenged friends and loved ones are able to go places safely? And isn't it good that these kind of vehicles are available through the help of NMEDA who makes sure that vehicles like these are easily accessible by wheelchairs?

If you are a caregiver of a physically challenged loved one or a Health Care provider who needs this kind of special vehicles for your clients… visit nmeda.org and on the homepage, hit the dealer’s locator and type in your ZIP code and see if there is a qualified dealer near you.

Here are some important information about NMEDA and QAP:

NMEDA is a non-profit trade association; they educate consumers on buying products from a NMEDA qualified dealer.

- NMEDA DOES NOT SELL ANYTHING: NMEDA is the only association that promotes safe driving and equipment for disabled people. They are non-profit and their members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NMEDA dealers (members) are the ones who sell handicap vans and vehicle modifications for disabled people.

- No two people with a disability are exactly the same. Beware of adapted wheelchair vehicles sold over the Internet or through catalogs. After a personalized “in-person” evaluation, you can be sure you are getting the right driving solution customized to your specific lifestyle and needs. If you need additional training or product refinements, your NMEDA dealer is there to help you.

The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. It is based on the principle that in order to satisfy customers consistently, companies must have a systematic and documented approach to quality.

If you are interested in becoming a NMEDA or QAP dealer… check out nmeda.org and join.