Free durable medical equipment “for everyone”
by Kristan Dael
Every day, without a thought, someone climbs a ladder. Or carries something awkward or heavy up or down stairs. Or sometimes, just walks down the hall. . . and takes a fall.
Four years ago, it happened to Linda Shivers’ husband Albert. While he, Linda, and two others were carrying a man in a wheelchair down a staircase, Albert fell and broke his pelvis. Though his treatment and recovery were tough, the events that followed would benefit many.
“When Albert was ready to leave rehab,” Linda says, “they recommended we get certain equipment to complete his recovery.” Setting about finding the needed items, she called numerous organizations, each telling her they couldn’t help, to “try calling X.” Finally, having had enough, Linda found and purchased a used walker.
When she later heard about a group that loaned durable medical equipment (DME) such as walkers, wheelchairs, and other assistive items, she was inspired. She asked her synagogue’s Caring Committee if they would support her in creating a DME loaning closet there. “They said as long as I ran it, that would be fine.”
Thus, Avraham’s Closet was born. A notice in the synagogue bulletin quickly brought donations. “It didn’t take long before I had enough to start loaning.”
DME is loaned without payment. “We give to anyone; all it takes is a need,” Linda says. “We take a phone number and email, and loan the equipment for as long as it’s needed — we’re very low tech.” Perhaps, but certainly high value.
Linda says she’s learned a lot from her husband’s injury and recovery, as well as working with closet patrons and a team including a physical therapist/advisor. She’d known that walkers and wheelchairs were leading needs, she says, but her experience has taught her about many others — such as raised toilet seats, canes, bed rails, and more. Each condition or type of surgery calls for unique assistive equipment.
Donations from care facilities and private donors keep the closet well stocked with a variety of equipment and devices (see list at right). And while the closet is busy with incoming donations and outgoing loaners, Linda hopes to make more people aware of it.
The need is there, and so is the help, Linda says, but some are reluctant to borrow something they can pay for themselves or that they feel someone else needs more. “The closet is for everybody. If you need it, and we’ve got it, it’s yours for as long as you need it. It’s a simple system, and it’s for everyone.”
Epilogue
Linda reports that Albert — whose Hebrew name is Avraham — is doing well. She also offers this final note:
Like the expression, Don’t try this at home, she says, “NEVER carry someone down stairs in a wheelchair.”
Items Accepted / Available for Loan
*Front- and 4-wheel walkers
Commodes, Raised toilet seats,
Shower chairs, Tub transfer benches
Wheelchairs & cushions
Single- and 4-point canes; *Crutches
Sliding bed boards; Bed rails
Blood pressure monitors
Ice machines for knees / shoulders
Grab bars
Gait belts
Leg cast protector
Pulse oximeter
Reading glasses
Knee scooters
Transport chairs
Grabbers
Wedges
Sock aid tool
*Items Available but not accepted as donations
Items NOT Accepted / Loaned
Braces
Boots
CPAP machines
Hospital beds
Hoyer lifts
Power wheelchairs, scooters, or lift chairs
Recliners
Anything that requires a truck to move
Reach Avraham’s Closet at 503 246 8831 or cantor.shivers@gmail.com.