Disabled man finds generosity can overcome a setback
FEDERAL WAY, Wash. -- A disabled Federal Way man has found out that even though thieves stolen the automatic lift for his scooter, a gift of generosity can overcome a setback.
The power lift that allows James Camden to transport his scooter went missing from the family's SUV Monday morning.
"It is just so hurtful because he is so very limited in the things he can do," said Gina Murphy, Camden's daughter.
A massive stroke paralyzed Camden's right side 14 years ago.
This is the second time in two years somebody stole his lift -- a loss, Murphy says, is not covered by home or auto insurance.
"How am I going to even get another one?" Camden wondered. "That was $4,000."
Desperate, the family turned to the KOMO Problem Solvers for help. We called Absolute Mobility Center in Tacoma, who generously offered to replace the lift free of charge.
Absolute Mobility Center owners Amanda and Eddie Revaira didn't hesitate for a moment to help a family in need.
"This enables her to take her Dad out, go to medical appointments, and give him some life like all of us get to live," Amanda Revaira said.
The lift will be replaced first thing Wednesday morning.
The power lift that allows James Camden to transport his scooter went missing from the family's SUV Monday morning.
"It is just so hurtful because he is so very limited in the things he can do," said Gina Murphy, Camden's daughter.
A massive stroke paralyzed Camden's right side 14 years ago.
This is the second time in two years somebody stole his lift -- a loss, Murphy says, is not covered by home or auto insurance.
"How am I going to even get another one?" Camden wondered. "That was $4,000."
Desperate, the family turned to the KOMO Problem Solvers for help. We called Absolute Mobility Center in Tacoma, who generously offered to replace the lift free of charge.
Absolute Mobility Center owners Amanda and Eddie Revaira didn't hesitate for a moment to help a family in need.
"This enables her to take her Dad out, go to medical appointments, and give him some life like all of us get to live," Amanda Revaira said.
The lift will be replaced first thing Wednesday morning.
Generosity could overcome all of my setbacks if I had a feel-good publicity machine at my disposal too. Can I take the Revaira's not hesitating for a moment to help a family in need as a standing, open-ended offer to supply free of charge a $4000 wheelchair lift to anyone who needs one but cannot afford one or to anyone who had one but lost the use of it? Surely, this isn't some cynical publicity gesture that happens to sport the face of charitable kindness. You know, a lot of people courageously face adversity every day in obscurity through more honorable means than becoming shameless charity cases for media outlets on the prowl for puff pieces that on the surface look great but are of no informational value and do society a disservice by making us all the more impatient with real problems of people that cannot be solved by conspiring with a publicity hungry business with a simple phone call resulting in a photo op and 30 second soundbyte. You don't see KOMO reporting stories about people whom they've turned away for assistance with their problems. There are undoubtedly hundreds. But out of sight, out of mind.
 @wysoumible You say it so well! I am disabled, I use a chair too, and in 2010, I lost my chair because my insurance decided that they weren't going to cover it. (My chair at the time is a Quickie GPV that Medicare was suppose to cover.) I ended up having that wheelchair repossessed. and I had to pay out of pocket for a brand new chair. (Which turned out to be a better wheelchair a Quickie Q7 that I found at Sportaid.) I could've gone to KOMO people helpers and asked for help, knowing that my life story and what was happening to me was going to be public record, and I did think about it. In the end I asked my family and my friends if they could help and I was able to scrounge the money together to get my new chair. I read these stories, and I'm angry not at the person who was wronged but by the news organisations who do this to sell more of their wares. (And to get top advertisements dollars!) Its all a game and we are the pawns.
 @yentaleh You should be proud of yourself. Stories like Camden's have a great outcome for him, but stack the deck against others who must sacrifice and endure extraordinary inconvenience, struggling to fix their own problems. The public's expectation is that if you cannot solve it yourself, it's your fault - after all - it was so easy for this other guy on TV. If KOMO's and the Revairas' sole intention were to help Mr. Camden, why would KOMO they even report it? What additional good does it do this person they presumably want so badly to assist? Answer: absolutely none. The cynicism and greed that are behind stories like this, contrary to what people are inclined to believe, represent the darkest, most shameful motivations of people.
Netflix has a show called 30 days (by the guy who did supersize me). The premise is someone has to live a certain way for 30 days. Last night we watched a two time super bowl winner (quarterback)Â live for 30 days as a paraplegic. Truly eye opening! I am so happy Mr. Camden was able to have his lift replaced..and so glad he has family and a community around him who cares!
 @k_did The show is still on? I used to watch it.Â
There's a special place for people that would steal something as vital to a disabled person as a wheelchair lift. What if there'd been an emergency? What if he'd needed to make a critical doctor's appointment?
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I am SO glad the lift is being replaced and am dumbfounded that there's no insurance for a $4,000+ piece of vital equipment.Â
Now, someone please offer this guy insurance for his lift. So that he doesn't have to depend on the generosity of others again. :|
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I don't understand why someone would want to steal a wheelchair lift in the first place.
@NKato Scrap metal- or to sell for money for drugs. I'm not sure there is insurance to cover the lift.Â
 @MomOf2  @NKato Actually home or renters should cover anything stolen from a vehicle.Â
 @Northend  @MomOf2  @NKato Maybe they had liability only on the van.Â
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Thank you Absolute Mobility Center owners Amanda and Eddie Revaira!
Its nice to hear there are people in this world that are willing to help others.Â
After hearing about this gentleman, I would like to donate a wheel chair lift I have to someone in need. Please call 360-866-3948 for details. Thank you