Local Hero: Verona Woman Nominated in Online Wheelchair Van Contest

A Verona woman and her family are in the running to receive a free wheelchair-accessible vehicle valued at about $40,000—and they could use your votes. 

The online contest sponsored by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is again awarding three  “Local Heroes” with wheelchair-accessible vehicles custom tailored to meet their needs. The contest is part of National Mobility Awareness Month.

To qualify, Joe Englert submitted an entry explaining how his disabled daughter Sammie and her entire family would benefit from a new vehicle. As of Thursday, the family had a little more than 320 votes.

Here is what Joe Englert wrote:

SAMMIE IS A 21 YEAR OLD, SHE HAS A FUN PERSONALITY AND WAS BORN A PREMIE SHE WEIGHED 2#12oz AT BIRTH ,SHE HAS HAD AROUND 40 SURGERIES TOO DATE AND WILL CONTINUE TOO HAVE PROBLEMS ALL HER LIFE.SHE LIKES TOO GO PLACES BESIDES THE DOCTORS AND THE HOSPITAL.LIKE SHOPPING AND OUT FOR ICE CREAM SHE HAS GOTTEN TOO BIG FOR HER MOTHER TOO PICK UP AND PUT IN OUR VAN FOR TRANSPORT PLUS MOM HAS HAD 3 BACK SURGERIES FROM TRYING TOO MUCH FOR HER SO ME [DAD]DOES ALLTHE LIFTING ALONG WITH SOME HELP FROM HER BROTHER KYLE.SO A LIFT VAN WOULD HELP HER GET TOO HER APPOINTMENTS AND OUT FOR SOME FUN.
THANKS
JOE [DAD]

To see the story and vote, click here. Voting closes on May 10 and winners will be announced the last week of May.

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