By Kayla Lugo a student submission
SAGINAW – The gift of mobility is something many people take for granted daily. The simple pleasure of being able to walk from place to place when one wants to is something that should not be taken lightly. Some people who are not as fortunate must have mobility assistance. That’s where Delta College’s mobility assistance project steps in.
Students Helping Area Residents Exchange Devices has been helping residents of the Great Lakes Bay Region who are financially unable to obtain necessary mobility assistive devices for free since 2013. Delta College professor, Mike Spitz, is the advisor for SHARED. Even though the program mainly serves the GLBR area, an exception will be gladly made.
“We are happy to provide devices to those in need outside our area,” Spitz said. “For example, we sent 100’s of devices to Africa to distribute to local hospitals in Kenya.”
However, this program doesn’t help the community all alone. They collaborate with Delta’s Physical Therapy Association.
“A huge part of physical therapy is about mobility, getting people moving again,” Spitz said. “Collecting and distributing assistive devices by our PTA students is a natural fit.”
Together, they accept donations of gently used assistive devices and other durable medical equipment that people don’t want before it ends up in landfills, refurbish them, and give them to people who need them but can’t afford to buy new equipment. Anyone can help SHARED.
“Donate lightly used assistive devices and other DME that are no longer used by loved ones,” Spitz said. “Help spread the word that we offer this program so that people who need devices and can’t afford them can get what they need to live a better life and get them moving again.”
People can call project SHARED at (989)758-3621 to arrange a pickup or drop off. All donations made are tax deductible so that is an extra bonus.
All that is required from those in need of assistive devices is confirmation from a healthcare professional stating the type of device needed and the individual’s weight-bearing status, if applicable.
Even though SHARED does not host any community events, that is something Spitz looks to change one day.
“I could envision creating a drop-off day where people could drop off their used devices and DME,” Spitz said.
Anyone wishing for more information about SHARED or requesting mobility assistive devices can contact Mike Spitz at amspitz@delta.edu.
