Debra Charles and her service dog Daisy
demonstrate Debra’s new Joey lift
Debra Charles of Oxford, PA, is a 14-year customer of VCI Mobility. Recently, Debra came to us to purchase a Joey lift for the trunk of her vehicle, a 2007 Nissan Quest. A Joey lift is a mobility solution for individuals who can walk short distances but still need to travel with their power chair or scooter.
What is unique about Debra’s new mobility solution is that back in 1996 when she first came to VCI Mobility, she was in a wheelchair, unable to walk at all, and was using a lowered-floor minivan equipped with a ramp.
At the age of 39, Debra had a stroke that affected the right side of her body and left her right leg unable to function properly. Having a stroke under the age of 40 put Debra at a higher risk for developing multiple sclerosis. Two years after her stroke, she began having symptoms of the disease, including loss of hand coordination, fatigue, muscle spasms, and pain.
Since Debra could not walk at the time, she’d stay in her powered chair to enter the lowered-floor minivan and then use a transfer seat to move into the driving position. To drive, Debra used a left-foot gas pedal because she had no strength in her right leg. She used this same mobility solution for 14 years, changing vehicles from time to time. Recently though, Debra’s mobility loss began to miraculously improve. “My condition should be progressing, but with determination and belief, it’s improving,” Debra said.
Debra started to get feeling back in her right leg and little by little started to walk again. Therefore, continuing the payments on her most current lowered-floor minivan, a 2005 Chrysler Town & Country, no longer made sense because she could have a much less expensive mobility solution. Instead, she bought a Nissan Quest and added the Joey lift.
Today Debra, along with her trusting service dog Daisy, can continue to experience the pleasures of life with the assistance of her vehicle. By having a Joey lift in her Nissan Quest, Debra and Daisy can go shopping, get to the YMCA to swim, and visit other service dogs at Amazing Tails Service Dog School, where Daisy was trained. She helps keep Debra sturdy, opens the door, presses buttons, and picks things up for her.
Although Debra had a life-changing experience at a young age, she never stopped being an active member of her community, participating in fundraising events as a member of the MS Society, competing and winning Miss Wheelchair Pennsylvania in 2005, as well as formerly working for the Center for Independence Living in the department of Community Awareness. “Having [my vehicle] allows me to continue to be social,” Debra said.