'Sadly,' Gift of Mobility wheelchair giveaway program to end
Jul. 13—Philip Pavone, owner of AZ Pawn in Norwich said he is being forced to end the program after 14 years.
Norwich — The phone never stops ringing at AZ Pawn as desperate people, sometimes sobbing, pleading for a motorized wheelchair, handicapped ramp or even a wheelchair van.
For the first time in 14 years, the answer will be, "Sorry, I can't," from owner Philip Pavone, founder of the Gift of Mobility program that has offered free motorized wheelchairs to people who cannot afford them and whose insurance will not cover the cost.
Pavone, 73, announced this week that he is ending the groundbreaking volunteer program that has provided more than 900 motorized wheelchairs, three handicapped vans, five handicapped ramps and hundreds of regular wheelchairs, walkers, shower chairs, hospital beds, canes and other assistance items, Pavone said.
"I have some health issues I've had for over a year," Pavone said Wednesday. "It's getting to the point that it's so busy it's overwhelming. I've probably given away 75 motorized wheelchairs so far (this year). ... Right now, my stamina is not there."
He started the program 14 years ago, after he initially could not get rid of two motorized wheelchairs brought to AZ Pawn. He placed a newspaper ad asking people in need to tell their stories. and he would choose the recipients. He received about 60 letters.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Gift of Mobility would host packed-house events each December at Holiday Inn. With much fanfare, each recipient received a new chair and lessons on how it worked.
The pandemic ended the large gatherings, so Pavone shifted to year-round, taking about 10 calls a day for requests and donations of chairs and batteries. Chairs weigh over 250 pounds, so collecting them is complicated, he said.
The chairs need repairs and must be matched with the right recipient based on needs, height, weight and abilities to work the controls.
Pavone posted on his Facebook page Monday that, "sadly," he is ending the program once he matches the 25 remaining chairs with recipients. He has one van ready to go at Superior Auto, where staff volunteer time to get vans in working condition. One last van is on the way.
"We just gave away a handicapped ramp," he said. "I got about nine calls yesterday. I said, 'I'm sorry, I can't take anymore requests.' They say, 'OK, where can I go?' And I say, 'The sad thing is, I'm it.'"
For all the heartwarming stories and local, state and national media attention — on CNN, the Today Show, Women's World magazine and other outlets — Pavone could not break through to lawmakers.
He has written to presidents, governors and lawmakers to push for laws mandating insurance coverage for motorized wheelchairs. He finds it unfathomable that veterans who are missing arms or legs cannot qualify for motorized wheelchairs. He said he has delivered chairs to people who cannot get out of bed, or who have been home bound for years.
He shouted his frustration in all capital letters in his Facebook post.
"We are so free to send other countries billions, let people enter our borders, provide them with food, housing etc.," Pavone, a Vietnam veteran, wrote on Facebook, ".... Leave our homeless Veterans living on the street.... Totally UNACCEPTABLE!!"
He said no political leaders have contacted him to explore how the program works and how it could be implemented nationwide.
"I am one person," Pavone said. "My client base here is probably within a 40-mile radius. To give away 900 chairs and have 40 letters from people who are desperate, how many are out there in the state, in the nation? The ironic thing is all these people need these chairs, and there are hundreds and hundreds of chairs out there in basements or garages that people no longer need. All you have to do is get someone to collect them."
State Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, said she has introduced a bill each year in the Connecticut General Assembly to require insurance companies regulated by the state to cover the cost of motorized wheelchairs. She will keep trying, she said.
"This service was a super service," Osten said. "A lot of this came out of his own pocket. Truly, this is something important."
Osten said she remains confident the bill eventually will pass. She said a network of partners could take on the task of collecting and refurbishing donated chairs, including workforce training programs, educational institutions and even the Department of Corrections job training programs for inmates. She envisioned the state Department of Developmental Services coordinating the service, with insurance companies covering it.
But the bill would only be for Connecticut, she said.
"It is truly a tragedy to not have Phil there," Osten said. "He is truly someone who cared, saw a problem, and said, 'I can do this.'"
Norwich Mayor Peter Nystrom praised Pavone as someone who recognized the need and tackled the problem.
"I am extremely grateful for his charitable work," Nystrom said. "He's just an amazing man."
Pavone said sometimes, people ask how they can help run the program. He explains the difficulty of needing volunteers with trucks and the ability to pick up 250-pound chairs, repair the chairs, charge batteries and match them with recipients.
Mostly, he said, they respond, "Oh, no, I can't do that."
