MS Helping Hands - MSHH
TESTIMONIALS
Deborah Testa
I live on a 5 acre farm. We have a fruit orchard and animals. I have 5 kids, the 3 youngest being from 7 to 9 years old. I was diagnosed with MS in 2007. For the last 2 years I have been outside around here very little. I can walk and stand, I just can’t do either one for very long, my legs just get to weak and the pain to severe. Since my husband was laid off almost 3 years ago our income is to low for me to even consider buying something I could use to ride on around here. Last week I called MS Helping Hands and explained my situation. Within an hour and a half, I got a call back that there was an all terrain scooter waiting for me that would be of no cost to me. Yesterday was a beautiful day! I was able to go with my kids when they walked down to the mailbox and I was in the orchard with them when they were picking peaches. I don’t know who was happier, me or my kids. Thank you, MS Helping Hands for giving back one of the most important things that MS has taken from us. The gift of family time, being together doing the little things that we never used to think about, the little things, the time together that now we know means more then anything. God bless MS Helping Hands.
CJ & Win Ludwig
It has been a very positive experience coming to the Donor Closet. We recently needed a manual wheelchair to use when my powerchair needed to go in for repairs. We found exactly what we were looking for. By having a manual wheelchair I no longer have to stay in bed while my powerchair is being repaired. We have also received many other items from the Donor Closet in the past that has made my life living with MS easier.
Barb and Gary VanWinkle
The used red scooter we purchased from the Donor Closet first came into our lives several years ago. One of my husband’s buddies with MS owned it and was donating it to the Donor Closet and let us know it was available.
My husband, newly diagnosed with Progressive MS, was having difficulty walking and still needed to work. “Ol Red” allowed him to traverse gravel pathways on our property to get back and forth to the greenhouse and barn. It served him well until he reached a point where he could not do even that and needed to move into assisted living. So the family decided to clean it up and return it to the Donor Closet for someone else to use.
Well, God intervened. A friend and neighbor got ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and was forced to quit working. We loaned him the scooter “for as long as you can use it”. He had about three months of summertime, getting out into his garden (which he dearly loved), going to the end of the street to pick up mail, and give his grandson a ride. Once again, we thought now is the time to take it back to the Donor Closet.
But once again, there was a more immediate need. Long-time friends had moved to “the sticks” with lots of property and a long drive up to their house. They had a dear friend who wanted to see their place but she couldn’t walk. So the scooter was transported again. Their family and friends with mobility problems, can now enjoy a visit to a lovely country home and the surrounding woods with many birds and deer and squirrels.
I don’t know when the scooter will make it back to the Donor Closet so it can be resold again. But I do know that someday it will. Unless God has other plans for it! Meanwhile, it is an example of the gift that keeps on giving and giving. And we are very grateful.
JP PATCHES AKA CHRIS WEDES
HI BILL, I THINK THE DONOR CLOSET IS GREAT!! I'V HAD THEIR HELP WITH SOME
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT THAT IMPROVED MY MOBILITY!! THANKS DONOR CLOSET!! .
Mary Sprute
I want to thank you again for the assistance I have been given for a Rollator. My old Rollator was in pretty bad shape. I contacted a couple of stores that serve the needs of the disabled population and was quoted a price I could not afford. I had heard about the donor closet from a MS Support group meeting and was very happy for the information. When I went to the Donor Closet to see if they could help I was overwhelmed by the personal attention I received. Not only did I find a used Rollator in excellent condition, I found I could afford the minimum donation. I walked out of the Donor Closet with a very serviceable Rollator.
Sue Dahlin
It's been a few years, but my condo association was starting a huge construction project and I was the liaison between the Board and the General Contractor. There was no way I was going to be able to walk the project 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. What a blessing to drive to Edmonds and pick up a used scooter for the cost of the new batteries and charger! I had energy and a life at the end of the work day. Thanks, MSHH Donor Closet!
Bob McMasterAlthough I don't use it alot, it is reassuring to know that if the power goes out and I can't use my electric hoist, I know that I can at least use the Hoyer that I received from the Donor Closet. It is a god send. Thank You!
Jan Severson
I must write to those at the Donor Closet for all the excellent help and support for items to help my husband have a more comfortable and better life. The inventory is over the top and the costs are so very fair. I will be forever grateful to all of you who helped me at a very difficult time. The Donor Closet is a very special place as are those who give of their time. --- Love and Blessing to you all.
Jolinda Creery
I just want
to thank the donor closet for giving me
back my mobility. I am a single mother
who has two kids under the age of six.
My MS has gotten to the point where I
can only walk about a block and a half
before getting tired. I have been
charting my falls and I have found that
I fall once every two weeks. I came to
the donor closet because I wanted more
help to make me more mobile and stable.
The volunteers were incredibly nice and
helpful. I finally decided on some elbow
braces and a scooter. Because of the
donor closet's help, I have not fallen
since I received the equipment and I
feel much more stable ....Thank you -
Jolinda Creery --MS
Survivor
Jerry Daggett
I was the recipient of a major item from the MSHH Donors Closet. I was scooter less in Seattle a couple of years ago. The frame of my scooter was broken in two places and could not be repaired. I kept looking for the same make/ model of the scooter at the donors closet, on www.craigslist.org , but none showed up. I entered into the donors closet drawing for the chance to win a scooter or power chair. I had been using my manual wheel chair and Access Bus to go places out of the neighborhood which was difficult. I received a call from the Donors Closet saying my name was drawn and I could come out to pick out a scooter/power chair of my choice. I received a power chair that was in great shape, and the timing could not have been better. Thank you Donors Closet,
Linda & Ted Walrath
Dear Bill, Gene, Bruce -Just wanted to say THANK YOU ALL!!! When my husband & I drove from Portland to see you, we didn't know what to expect. You were all so kind and wonderful, and to help provide a scooter for me among other items caught us both off guard with emotions. I can't begin to tell you how your help has made such a difference for me, when no one else cared. To see what you all do and work hard at as change a persons life for the better as mine is a blessing! I can't remember the last time we both were so happy together. That same day on our way home we stopped for a picnic. The freedom for me to do that in over 10 years was amazing , a beautiful day and all due to you! There are not enough words to say how thankful we are .
I'm not good with names, but the the gentleman (Gary Turcott) who had time to talk with me as teach me, thank you. I feel like a person again not as disabled ,and more free. Special thanks to all,
To Bill & MSHH Office Crew, My Testimonial to you .
Linda &Ted Walrath
My name is Linda husband Ted Walrath. I have 3rd stage MS. I am only 48 yet this disease has taken me down fast so I look and feel much older. I have a big walker to get about and due to now rough struggle to walk as stand , we were looking for some kind of help for me to get around. A scooter in mind. Once a two income now down to only Ted working has been another struggle. My husband works two sometimes 3 jobs to make ends meat. Our insurance wanted a fortune as wanted us to remodel our home just for a scooter. Ted was on the internet and came across your organization and decided to e-mail. Later he got a call from a gentleman named Bill, and spoke with my husband a little about me and what i need. Then Ted became quite emotional he was so choked up with what Bill said. He asked when we could come up from Portland to Seattle and he would fix us up for no cost and not to worry.
We both were stunned to hear that someone out there really cared about someone like me. Later that week we drove up and we didn't know what to expect. As we drove up to the office we were instantly greeted by a group of people and they were so kind. We talked a bit and they said for me to just choose what i wanted just like that. I found a wonderful scooter and was taught how to use it, took a test drive as well. It was also a bright sunny day for all this. I chatted with a nice man who's name I'm sorry I forget, and he helped me understand about my MS, made me feel better. Then they said it was mine to keep , along with a few other items. At that point I cried, not sad but very happy emotional tears. To have all these wonderful people just hand a stranger something with no worries or cost and that they really do care! My husband and I were both very thankful words can't express how blessed we were.
Later that same day we went to a park and had a picnic, which we thought we were going o have in the car before meeting with all the group. With the scooter I was able to get outside and find a nice spot and we had a great picnic for the first time together in about 10 yrs. My husband said he hasn't seen me smile so much in a long time , and feel so free. Till this day I am out more then ever and enjoying life once again! We wouldn't be where we are with out the help of your loving and caring group. God bless and again thank you with all my heart for giving my life back!!
Kristann Leen
Dear MSHH:
I wanted to express my gratitude for your recent
financial assistance with my medical bills and rent payment.
It was extremely helpful during a financially stressful time
which will allow me to be able to concentrate on my
treatment and to be able to see my neurologist during this
period without medical insurance. I wanted to personally
thank Mary Sprute for her helpfulness, sincerity and
compassion during the application process. I am very
grateful for your organization and the assistance and hope
that you offer to those who are living with Multiple
Sclerosis. I sincerely hope that one day in the future I may
be able to assist by donation once my health is in a more
stable point.
With sincere thanks,
Kristann Leen
Marla Jones
Words cannot express how amazed and thankful I was to find
the extent of the help MSHH has provided to me recently.
Several bills are being covered, more than I had even hoped
for. Bless MSHH for the good work that is being done : ) I
appreciate your efforts to get all the ducks in a row for me
on this, and the consideration that went into this
assistance decision. This is definitely a great gift to me
for Xmas and to start the new year on the right foot! I wish
all at MSHH Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! : )
Thank you very, very much..
Marla Jones