Instead of the usual mobility aid tips and advice this week, I thought I’d relay a Christmas story about a mother, a daughter and a rollator.

Barbara has limited mobility, but she has her supportive daughter Phyllis and a couple mobility aids to help her get around. One of the mobility aids is a power scooter.  The other is an Invacare rollator.

During a recent emergency medical call, a paramedic bent the front leg of her rollator trying to get it and Barbara back in the house. A local pharmacy attempted to repair it, but was unable to keep the rollator from rocking unevenly—not good for stability.

Though Barbara’s power scooter helped her get around just fine, according to Phyllis if she uses only the scooter and no rollator “she’ll fully lose the use of her legs… We’ve already had doctors tell us that.”

But Medicare refused to replace the rollator. That’s when Phyllis turned to local news station 7 On Your Side. They were able to speak to Medshore Ambulance Service representative Major Wilson who offered to buy Barbara a new rollator “in the spirit of our mission statement and the spirit of Christmas.”

Now Barbara can continue to exercise her legs and Phyllis knows her mother is safe.