MOUNT VERNON — When family and friends from Interim Healthcare pooled their efforts to build a wheelchair ramp at the home of Michael Smith, it was a much appreciated and welcomed gesture, and a comforting thought to know that there are some good, caring people in Mount Vernon.
The generosity from community members did not stop there. When Mount Vernon resident Don Vernon read the story in the News about Smith’s wheelchair ramp being built and options being explored in obtaining a motorized wheelchair, Vernon contacted the News stating he had a motorized wheelchair he was willing to donate to Smith. He stated his deceased mother had used a it for a short time, and it was now just sitting around, not being used. Vernon also contacted a local business which donated two batteries for the wheelchair.
The gift was presented to Smith last week as a surprise.
“I’ve been wanting one of these all my life,” was Smith’s initial reaction. As Smith’s brother, Jim, helped him into his new wheelchair, Vernon gave Smith a quick tutorial on how to operate his new mode of transportation. It only took a few moments to figure it out, and he was soon scooting up and down Elliott Street, smiling all the way.
In reading about Smith’s needs for a ramp and motorized wheelchair, Vernon quickly answered the call for help, not realizing that Michael actually was not a complete stranger to him. When arriving at the house, “I went to school with your brother, Frankie,” he said to Michael.
Now, thanks to the kind hearts of numerous Knox County residents, Smith has a wheelchair ramp which will soon allow him to go outside on his own where he can easily move about the neighborhood.
His dreams have now become reality, thanks to the selfless efforts of so many friends. Family member Connie Berger told the News, “there certainly are a lot of good people out there.”
