A note from
Lindsay:
After my fall in 2003
resulted in level C6 quadriplegia, I went through the
normal motions: first, was the frantic search for a
cure, then I tried desperately to reclaim some sort of
normalcy to my life and those closest to me. With only
partial use of my arms remaining I sought day after day
for adaptive equipment to help me become as mobile &
independent as possible.
Over time I accumulated a
wide range equipment… including a van, several
wheelchairs, daily living aids, various adaptive
furniture, tools, exercisers, etc. Some of it helped
immensely & some was not a good fit. Then much of what
initially worked well would later become obsolete as I slowly
progressed. Nevertheless, after 4 years, my parents’
garage was literally packed with equipment I no longer
needed, totaling an estimated retail value of over $60,000.
The question naturally arose:
How do I find others
looking for mobility equipment at a fair price?
First, I tried Ebay with
limited success; then I tried Disabled Dealer, but found
that experience frankly depressing. As fate would have
it, over coffee one afternoon I mentioned my
disappointment to my good friend Sam… moments later the
idea of abletrader began to take shape. We instantly
started developing a website to fill this large gap in
the mobility market. It would be a simple and friendly place
for people to research, buy & sell their used vans and mobility
equipment online. In addition to ease-of-use, we made a
concerted effort to promote maximizing what is possible,
rather than reinforce conventional views of disability. Positivity is contagious, and that’s exactly what we
wanted others to gain from Abletrader.
So here we begin, with bold
expectations for the future. If you ever have any
suggestions or ideas on ways we can improve & grow, please
do not hesitate to let us know...
Learn more about Lindsay at his personal website www.ableminded.net |
