Appleton hosts a wheelchair washing event at NuMotion, April 28, 2023. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — An event in Appleton is making a difference in the lives of those who use wheelchairs.
NuMotion on N. Westhill Boulevard held its annual Wheelchair Wash event Friday.
Volunteers were on hand to help clean wheelchairs for people while a number of local companies were onsite showcasing and providing live demonstrations of equipment they have to enhance life for those who are wheelchair bound.
One of those providers is Valley Transit. The bus company showed off its Quantum securement system, a locking mechanism that allows people in wheelchairs to secure themselves into their seat without the help of a driver. This allows for independence and autonomy for every individual riding the bus.
Mobility manager with Valley Transit, Sarah Schneider, says it’s a unique way to bring awareness to services that people with disabilities can access in the community.
It also brings people in wheelchairs and caregivers together and gives them a little respite.
Resident Autumn Nordall says it’s a great feeling to be able to sit in a clean device.
“As a person who uses a wheelchair for mobility, you know sometimes, cleaning my wheelchair is just one of the last of the things that I make a priority; I’m a mom, I have a job, I have roles within my community and it just kind of takes the back burner sometimes,” she said. “I am grateful that I have the ability to wash my chair in some different avenues, where there’s a lot of people that don’t have access to getting their chairs washed, they don’t have the ability to make that a priority and knowing there is an event in the community like this, at least once a year, that gives us an opportunity to get our chairs washed.”
Along with a wash, volunteers also went a step further and made minor repairs to wheelchairs that needed them.
Everyone at the event also got a free lunch.
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