Norwich-based Gift of Mobility to end, leaving void for the physically disabled

NORWICH — A local charity helping physically disabled people become more independent for the last 13 years will end, according to its founder.

On July 12, Phillip Pavone announced on his Facebook page that his Gift of Mobility program would end as soon as the last motorized wheelchairs left the storage area near A-Z Pawn, Pavone’s business. The program that started in 2009 had grown too busy to manage along with his health.

There isn’t another organization doing similar work, and public health officials aren't sure what the public would do to offset the loss.

“People, for the time being anyway, are going to have to live life as they have,” said Sharron Heddle, the executive director of the Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut.

She’s consulting with other peer organizations and the State Independent Living Council to determine if a similar program could be replicated at the state level.

In 2009, Pavone bought two motorized wheelchairs for his pawn shop. When they didn't sell, he took out an ad in the paper saying people could pick them up. From that ad, he got 60 letters in a week and a half from people who needed a motorized wheelchair.

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“We’re going to be getting hundreds of calls from people who don’t know the program is finalized, and it’s going to be very sad,” he said.

The pawnshop, which will stay open, is the reason why he started Gift of Mobility.

Pavone said motorized wheelchairs can cost $3,000 to $15,000, extra for the batteries, and may not be covered by insurance.

“Some of them were so desperately needed, that I went out and bought four of them, and gave away six for that holiday season,” Pavone said.

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Over the years, Pavone said he’s gotten used chairs from people who didn’t want or have a need for them anymore, refurbished them, and gave them back out. He’s distributed about 900 motorized wheelchairs, three handicapped-accessible vans, with another two to be given, and other help for people who struggle with mobility.

“The freedom of movement is amazing,” said Taftville resident Robbie Drummer, who received a chair in 2018, back when the Gift of Mobility had its yearly distribution event at the Norwich Holiday Inn.

The chairs help families as well.

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Pavone recalled when a woman with stage-four cancer told him that having the motorized chair meant she could do things on her own, and not have to call her in-laws to get her out of bed.

Drummer, who has one leg, said she couldn’t afford the chair on her own. A prior recipient told her about the program, and she was surprised someone would give them away, knowing how expensive they are.

“I’m unable to have a life without a mobility chair,” Drummer said.

Drummer said the program ending “ends the dreams of those people who need those scooters.”

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Pavone said the Gift of Mobility couldn’t just be given to any other person to run, since “it’s not a simple task.” Some requirements include a large storage area, strong people to pick up heavy chairs from hours away, volunteers with mechanical, electronic and computer experience, and plenty of money.

Pavone said the U.S. should do more for its own citizens.

"As happy as I am to do (Gift of Mobility) I'm angry to live in a country that sends billions of dollars to other countries, lets people into our country and gives them food, housing and insurance," Pavone said. "And yet, there are homeless veterans on the street, and we have people calling a pawnbroker for a motorized chair that's desperately needed."

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As of Monday, Pavone said he had 15 chairs left, which he expects to be gone in a week or two.

“I feel like I’m letting a lot of people down,” he said. “I have a whole notebook full of names of people that are in desperate need. Time and time again, I’ve had recipients tell me ‘You have no idea what you’ve just done; you’ve changed my life.’”

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Norwich-based Gift of Mobility motorized wheelchair charity to end