This November, NOVA Medical Products partnered with AbilityFirst, a nonprofit that provides programs and services to help children and adults with disabilities reach their full potential, for the first time at the annual Stroll & Roll Event. Participants of all abilities walked, strolled, or rolled a little over one mile at the Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA. Throughout the afternoon, attendees enjoyed performances, activities, giveaways, and a variety of food and drink.
As a sponsor, our NOVA Team gave away a variety of mobility aids, including canes, rollators, and transport chairs, as well as mobility accessories, like detachable bags and seat covers to attendees in need of an upgrade. We had such an amazing time meeting so many unique people, hearing their inspiring stories, and watching them move across the NOVA Red Carpet, feeling empowered with their newfound improved mobility!
9:30 AM. It’s a sunny November day in Arcadia, CA, a beautiful suburban city just about one hour north of Los Angeles City. As I pull up to the Santa Anita Park parking lot, I quickly spot our NOVA Team, my coworkers who took a Saturday off to be at the annual Stroll & Roll Event. It’s our first time partnering with AbilityFirst, a nonprofit that provides programs and services to help children and adults with disabilities reach their full potential.
Sue Chen, our Chief Education Officer and fearless leader, brings us in for a quick huddle session. “Today we are going to spread joy and Empower Human Ability!”
Our team quickly helped unload our vans and made their way to our booth, which was already set up with our red carpet and several of our products displayed. We had rollators, canes of all styles, transport chairs, wheelchairs, as well as fashionable bags and cupholders to accessorize mobility aids – all to give away that day!
At 10:30 AM the Stroll & Roll begins! Participants of all abilities walked, strolled, or rolled a little over one mile to the finish line, where activities, food trucks, and performances waited for them. As they walked, our team took canes, transport chairs and rollators with them to show off all the different styles and options we had with us, and encouraged participants to come by our booth if they were interested in receiving a free mobility aid.
At one point, Leilani Wright, our Head of Customer Service, jumped off of the track and snuck up on me.
“There’s a young man, he’s a bit taller, who’s walking on elbow crutches. It’s very slow going and it seems like he’s really struggling,” she informs me. “Do you think you could hold onto the Phoenix Upright Walker for him? I think it might be a good match.”
We had only brought one of these to possibly give away, so I assured her I would reserve it for him when he came by.
After most of the attendees had finished the walk, our team excitedly met all sorts of people and paired them up with different mobility aids and accessories. On one side of me, I had Ron Gaudiano, our Vice President, sizing a cane for an older gentleman, and Sue was on her knees getting Lucy, a young girl, into a purple transport chair.
Leilani stood by my side, scanning the field.
“Do you see him?” I asked.
“No, but he’s on his way. He’s probably really struggling to finish the walk.”
Sure enough, after most of the participants had finished the stroll, Lynn Anderson, supported by his girlfriend and mother, made it by our booth. Relief washed over Leilani’s face as she brought the Phoenix Upright Walker over to him.
From there, Sue took over, sizing the rollator and showing him all the features. The NOVA Team looked on as we all witnessed a 180. With his elbow crutches, Lynn was struggling to get a few steps in. Upon stepping into his new NOVA Rollator, Lynn started not just walking more easily and more quickly, but started running!
“Be careful, Lynn!” his mother called out as he sped down the racetrack.
His girlfriend looked on with a huge grin and tears in her eyes. “Oh my gosh, he’s running!” she exclaimed.
Lynn’s excitement for his newfound improved mobility was infectious and he was just one of the many people we got to connect with that Saturday. Driving home at about 2:00 pm, I felt the lingering buzz of joy not from not only meeting so many inspiring people and listening to their stories, but also witnessing our team facilitate so many of these 180 moments.
When it comes to mobility, most of us are uneducated about what kinds of devices are out there that can help us with our specific needs, or we are nervous to admit that we need to start using a mobility aid. But when presented with an array of beautiful styles and options, it’s hard not to pick one up and see how it feels. Our NOVA Team was thrilled to do just that: provide our local community with an opportunity to empower their mobility.
