Pine Island FISH restores mobility for local resident
To the editor:
When a Pine Island FISH volunteer recently drove Victoria to a doctor’s appointment, a conversation revealed a serious challenge she had been facing. Victoria, who lost one of her legs just below the hip several years ago due to a severe bacterial infection, is unable to drive. For everyday mobility around her neighborhood, she had relied on an adult three-wheel bicycle. When that bicycle recently disappeared — presumably stolen — she was left with no practical way to reach the grocery store, visit neighbors, or travel to the free medical clinic at Pine Island Baptist Church.
The volunteer driver, identified as RW, immediately began thinking about a solution. He owned a couple of electric bicycles and offered to donate one to Victoria. After doing some research, he discovered that adult-sized training wheels could be installed on a standard bicycle to provide the stability she would need.
RW approached Jim Wentz, president of Pine Island FISH, to see if the organization might help make the modification possible. After confirming the idea was workable, FISH purchased the training wheels. About two weeks ago, Wentz and RW met to install the wheels and test the bike. After several practice runs up and down the driveway, they determined that the modified bicycle was stable enough for Victoria to use for short trips around the community.
When she learned what had been arranged for her, Victoria became emotional at the generosity being shown and promised to take good care of the bicycle.
The project soon expanded into a more complete mobility solution. FISH also provided a pair of forearm crutches from its warehouse, which are shorter and easier to transport on the bicycle. A simple mounting system was created so the crutches could be carried along during rides. Victoria is now learning the techniques needed to ride the modified bicycle. Uneven surfaces, such as her unpaved driveway, can sometimes create small challenges, but she is quickly learning how to navigate them.
To help protect her new transportation, Pine Island FISH also provided a bicycle lock so the bike can be securely chained to a post at the front of her home. Victoria is still looking for a bicycle helmet. If any Eagle readers have one they would like to donate, Pine Island FISH would be happy to help connect the donor with her to make riding even safer.
Pine Island FISH
Matlacha