Norwich, Connecticut (CNN) Amputee Robbie Drummer was homebound for more than eight years, but now she can reclaim her life with the gift of a motorized wheelchair.
“He’s given me my freedom,” she says referring to Phil Pavone. “He’s like my family.”
Pavone, a pawn shop owner in Norwich, Connecticut, has been giving away electric wheelchairs every holiday season since 2009.
With the help of several volunteers, he collects unwanted chairs and refurbishes them. So far, he has donated around 580.
How it all began
Nine years ago, Pavone had a few motorized wheelchairs in his shop that weren’t selling. It was around the holiday season and he figured he would donate them. He put an ad in the local newspaper to see if anybody needed them.
“I told people to write in and tell me their story or what their disabilities are and I got 60 letters,” the Vietnam veteran says. “Some of those people were so badly handicapped that I went on Craigslist and bought four more. And the first year I gave away six.”
At that point, Pavone realized how much of a need there was and he had the means to help. Plus, he could relate to the frustration and helplessness some disabled people experience.
“A few years back I developed cancer and I was pretty sick. Chemotherapy, radiation, surgery. And it was the first time in my life that I had to depend on someone else,” the 69 year-old remembers. “And it was very degrading. And you feel like you’re worthless.”
HT: dba_unruly_ vagabond_trader