FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I get a wheelchair from Alternatives in Motion?
How much does the wheelchair cost me?
Do you accept donations of used wheelchairs?
I have a used wheelchair that I want to sell. Will Alternatives in Motion purchase it from me?
Do you sell tap dancing shoes?
How can I help?
Would you like to lower your long distance phone rates?
How quickly can I get a wheelchair?
If I am on your waiting list, should I call for updates?
How do I get a wheelchair from Alternatives in Motion?
Telephone us and ask us to mail or fax you an application form. Or you can go to Getting You in a Chair on this website, and download and print out the form from there. Take this application to your local wheelchair vendor (if you don't have one, we will give you some suggestions). The vendor will help you complete the application and obtain the following three additional items:
- Letter of medical necessity signed by your physician.
- Insurance denials.
- A copy of your most recent Federal Tax Return.
- A photo of yourself (for fundraising purposes).
The vendor will also determine what your exact mobility needs are, assign rehabilitation and seating specialists to fit you for a wheelchair or cart, and initiate paperwork to determine if you are eligible for insurance or Medicare/Medicaid.
Once all the paperwork is completed (the four items listed above), you will send those along with your application to us at Alternatives in Motion.
How much does the wheelchair cost me?
Nothing. However, we believe a small monthly donation to Alternatives in Motion from our recipients and/or their friends and family says a lot for what we do. These donations testify to the fact that our recipients believe in our mission and would like to make a contribution so others can get help. Take a second right now and mail a check to:
Alternatives in Motion
201 Matilda NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Do you accept donations of used wheelchairs?
Yes and no. We welcome the donation of wheelchairs that are very new and in excellent condition. Often we have a wheelchair vendor evaluate the piece of equipment for us before we accept it. We especially appreciate donated equipment that matches a current need for that particular type of wheelchair. If the equipment you want to donate is unusual, and heavily modified, we will be less likely to accept it—mainly because we have limited storage, and some custom wheelchairs are useable by only a very small number of people.
I have a used wheelchair that I want to sell. Will Alternatives in Motion purchase it from me?
No. However, because we are a 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation, you may donate the wheelchair and then write it off on your taxes
Do you sell tap dancing shoes?
Get real! Do we look like River Dance?
How can I help?
If you feel as we do—that those who need wheelchairs should be able to obtain the equipment they need—there are many ways to help:
- Make donations—large or small by mail or through PayPal whenever you feel so moved to help us out. We hope you feel so moved often, and donate money each year.
- Find audiences who'll listen to Johnnie Tuitel tell the story of Alternatives in Motion.
- Donate a wheelchair that's in great condition.
- Suggest that your company or organization support Alternatives in Motion.
- Encourage your kids' elementary or middle school to participate in our annual "Quarter Roll."
- Invite Johnnie to speak at your college or university, and then do a service project/fundraiser for Alternatives in Motion.
- Volunteer to help out in the office. We're always looking for people who know about accessibility issues and who are willing to do some of the hard work in the office.
- Participate in one of our events promoted on this site.
Would you like to lower your long distance phone rates?
Not as much as we'd like a million bucks!
How quickly can I get a wheelchair?
We are completely dependent upon private donations. When fundraising is good, (our first six years) the turnaround time for ordering and receiving a wheelchair is equivalent to the amount of time it takes for us to have you properly evaluated by a vendor and then order the chair.
When fundraising is not so good, (Sept. 2001 to the present), it may take six months or longer. We have a waiting list of about 40 people. However, if we receive a donation of a wheelchair that is in excellent condition that fits your needs, we may be able to help sooner.
If I am on your waiting list, should I call for updates?
Absolutely. We don't want you to feel forgotten, and we don't always have time to call you—so give us a call every four to five weeks to find out what's going on.