Wounded Marine To Recieve Specially Outfitted Van in Tampa

Posted Dec 14, 2011 by Howard Altman

Updated Dec 14, 2011 at 07:01 PM

I have said it before, but it is always worth repeating.

We live in a unique community that goes above and beyond to help the wounded.

As I did around Thanksgiving, I’m going to highlight a few of those efforts. Some in print, some in the blog.

On Thursday, Dec. 15, an active duty Marine paralyzed from the shoulders down will receive a specially adapted van.

The van will be presented to SSgt. Scott Nicholas and his family at the Ride-Away Handicap Equipment office in Tampa.

Nicholas, an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran, was paralyzed in a vehicle accident in November, 2010 in Jacksonville, North Carolina.  For the past year, his wife Yolanda and family have been at his side while he has gone through rehabilitation and recovery.  Scott is currently receiving therapy at the Tampa Veterans Administration hospital.

According to a press release from the Semper Fi Fund, Nicholas will receive a specially outfitted Chrysler 2011 Touring van with a low-floor conversion that will allow Nicholas to access the vehicle with his wheelchair and ride in the passenger side position.  The vehicle is being made possible through a $12,700 Adaptive Transportation grant from the Semper Fi Fund, a grant from the Veterans Administration, and a special Veterans discount from Ride-Away.  Additionally, special administrative and logistical support was provided by Help Our Military Heroes (HOMH).

• Who:    SSgt Scott Nicholas and his family; and members of the Semper Fi Fund, Ride-Away and HOMH
• What:    Media availability for presentation of a specially adapted van to SSgt Scott Nicholas
• When:  Thursday December 15, 2011 – 10:00 am
• Where:  Ride-Away Handicap Equipment Co., 8706D E. Broadway Ave., Tampa, FL
• Web:    The Semper Fi Fund: (www.semperfifund.org)
, Ride-Away Corp (www.ride-away.com) & Help Our Military Heroes: (www.helpourmilitaryheroes.org
     

The Semper Fi Fund helps fund specially adapted vehicles through its Adaptive Transportation grants.  These grants are provided to service members who have lost limbs, or have been catastrophically injured in combat or training, or as in SSgt Nicholas’ case, as a result an accident while on active duty.  Modified transportation is a vital component to a successful rehabilitation for someone who is severely injured.  It is key to ensuring that appointments and therapies are easily attended, and more freedom of mobility is given to the service member and their families.