Dear Edmund,

Thank you for your recent email to Joni and friends, via Johnny Conde, your kind friend. We appreciate hearing of your situation and for sharing with us your specific need for a new or used sturdy wheelchair, to keep up with you on your delivery rounds. We pray Johnny’s “powers of the internet” will prove to be the answer to getting you some new “wheels.”

Wheels for the World, a program of Joni and Friends, collects, restores, and distributes manual wheelchairs to people in need around the world. Due to insurance and liability complications we do not distribute wheelchairs in the United States. However, we hope the following thoughts will be helpful in finding your wheelchair.

First, we know this isn’t a quick fix, but if you have medical insurance, you could attempt to go that route to obtain a wheelchair. You would have to discuss your medical needs with your doctor and get the needed prescription. Sometimes insurance companies will deny that type of purchase, even after a doctor has written a prescription for the equipment. However, the Patient Advocate Foundation may be able to assist if you do receive a denial. We would encourage you to read the article, Will Medicare cover the cost of wheelchairs and walkers?, to learn more about how the process works as it is similar whether he has Medicare, Medicaid, or private health insurance.

If you have not done so already, the following link, Independent Living Centers, will provide the contact information needed to ask your questions. These agencies are often able to provide information and referrals for financial programs, transportation, and other related topics. Some independent living centers also provide lending-closet services to loan medical equipment to those with disabilities.

Another option for obtaining what you need is by seeking out used equipment already suited to your needs. The classified ad listing at www.disableddealer.com is specifically for disability equipment, but also check out other local classified ads such as Craigslist. If you choose this option, make sure to have the equipment fitted to your specific needs. Ill-fitting mobility devices can sometimes be worse than no assistance at all, as I’m sure you’ve experienced.

We will be praying for you in your search. May you sense God’s blessing as He provides for you.

Sincerely in Christ,