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Spark May 2025 Newsletter
Dear friends of Spark,
Tomorrow is May 1, we've had some April showers, May flowers are blooming, and oddly enough the Spark newsletter is on time! And, as usual, we have some things we want to tell you about.
Mobility Equipment of the Month
We're excited about a new newsletter feature we're calling "Mobility Equipment of the Month" in which we talk about some particular DME (durable medical equipment) item, or as we prefer to say, "mobility equipment."
This month, it’s the rollator, one of Spark’s most popular mobility items. It’s quite a remarkable device: it combines the functionality of a walker, a portable chair, and a shopping cart. It even folds up for easy transport in a car or bus. Let’s have a look.
Any of us, at any age, might experience some loss of mobility resulting from an injury, a surgery, or condition such that we find that we can stand and walk, but require some support, stability, and perhaps the need to sit for some period of time. The rollator is designed for this purpose, and helps many people accomplish a variety of activities and tasks of daily living.
Just recently, a young person with a disability came to Spark in need of something that could help them achieve greater mobility, and the rollator was the perfect solution. They were so excited that they couldn't wait to try it and took it for a spin around our parking lot (under the watchful eye of one of our staff, of course!). Unfortunately, we didn't get a photo release, but this picture might give you some sense of the difference this equipment made in this person's life.
If you, a friend, a neighbor or loved one might benefit from a rollator or any other mobility equipment, we're here to help!
The Ride Ahead
In the previous piece about the rollator and how it helped an individual with a disability, the story focused on a particular piece of mobility equipment and the difference it made in that person's life. However, we wanted to share another story that focuses on an individual and how they live with a disability. We all know that a movie is a great way to tell a story, and this one is a great example.
We learned about one such story through Ezra Haddad, Spark Data & Development Director, who received an invitation to the recent Southern Oasis FilmFestival, seen here at the event.
The festival invited Ezra to view a premier screening of a new film, “The Ride Ahead."
"The film follows Samuel Habib, whose goals are pretty typical for a 21-year-old: moving out of his family’s New Hampshire home; college, establishing his career, dating and more."
"Yet every rite of passage is fraught with challenges. Unexpected seizures and uncontrollable movements caused by his rare genetic disorder. Friends’ homes that are inaccessible to his wheelchair. His labored speech and use of a communication device are barriers to a social life. He craves more independence and a family of his own one day." “But no one tells you how to be an adult,” he says, “let alone an adult with a disability.”
Spark encourages everyone to learn more about the film.
The mission of Spark is to provide mobility equipment and access to technology to our community, with particular emphasis on people with a disability, the very young, and seniors.
Our mission requires the financial means (translation: money) to continue to do what we do. Spark is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, but you might not realize Spark receives no federal or state funding; we rely exclusively on grants, the generosity of donors, and the modest donations we ask for the items and services we provide.
However, we try to provide a little something extra to our donors, in the form of Spark events, such as our Christmas ToyTech, November Fun Run & Roll, and various special fundraising events at local bars, restaurants, theaters, and other merchants and venues, who help Spark by donating a portion of their proceeds to us.
One such event was our recent bowling fundraiser at Knoxville's Maple Hall.
We had a great turnout and everyone had a wonderful time bowling and getting together, all while helping Spark. Thanks to Spark board of directors member, Alicia McMurray-Smith, for the photos.
Many thanks to Maple Hall for providing a place for the event, and to everyone who made it possible* and who participated. Through this event, Spark raised $2100!
* A special thanks to Ezra Haddad (seventh from the right), Spark's Data & Development Director, for putting it all together!
As always, Spark wishes to thank TEIS, Tennessee Early Intervention Systems, for their ongoing support. TEIS is part of the Tennessee Department of Disability & Aging. TEIS is a voluntary program that offers therapy and other services to families of infants and young children with developmental delays or disabilities. Services are provided at no cost to families. TEIS is critically important to supporting the development of Tennessee children with disabilities and developmental delays as they prepare for school.
The mission of Spark is to connect people with disabilities in East Tennessee to the adaptive technology tools and services they need to live with maximum independence and dignity. Spark is registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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