Passing on a 'step up'

When a veteran needs medical help, that help sometimes requires mechanical assistance: a wheelchair, walker or even an easier way into the home.

When the equipment is no longer needed, the question then arises of what to do with it. Returning it doesn't always work, and some equipment, like a ramp for example, can't be returned to the Veterans Administration. 

Locally, when this happened the Veterans Service Office suggested giving it away on social media. The family promoted the ramp in need of a new home and soon had a call. A teacher in the Creek Valley School system knew of a family needing some help; they have a school age daughter limited to a wheel chair. 

The ramp is expected be delivered to the family Saturday.

Veteran Service Officer Fred Wiedeburg encourages people with unneeded medical equipment such as ramps, crutches, wheelchairs ... equipment that can be reused and may be needed by other residents in the community ... to offer them on social media platforms, reach out to people who may need what's in the closets and garages.

"I almost guarantee someone needs what you have," Wiedeburg said.