Jomailee has had a wheelchair since she was three years old. As she grew, her wheelchairs grew with her, each specifically modified to support her needs. The head, neck, and arm supports were especially important given her inability to maneuver her head or arms independently.
Despite her specific medical requirements, her newest wheelchair did not fit and did not provide the support she needed. Jomailee’s Spanish speaking mother had to send it back to the durable medical provider so it could be modified or replaced altogether. Having already donated Jomailee’s old wheelchair, this left Jomailee stuck, immobilized, spending most of her days in bed.
Jomailee’s mother tried to work with the equipment provider but the provider refused to translate paperwork into Spanish or provide an interpreter and over a year passed during which Jomailee did not have access to her wheelchair. That’s when Jomailee’s mother called us. With interpretation support and translation services, we were able to assist and quickly get things moving.
As a result of our involvement and advocacy, not only was the durable medical provider informed of its obligations to assist and work with non-English speaking clients, but it also immediately began working to get Jomailee her wheelchair.
Now, in her new wheels, Jomailee is out enjoying her community again.
