BIBLE HILL - Steve Weatherby's face filled with joy as he started up Craig Drive on his new electric scooter yesterday afternoon.
Weatherby, 54, had his scooter stolen from his shed overnight on Nov. 4 and it was the generosity of an anonymous donor, or donors, that helped him become mobile again.
"Woohoo! I got a new ride," exclaimed Weatherby as he wheeled up and down the road. "It feels great."
Due to limited mobility (the result of a car accident when he was five) Weatherby has trouble opening padlocks and kept the shed unlocked. But when his scooter was stolen, he remained upbeat,
"I didn't get down about it. I kept my spirits up and now I got this baby."
Because of dark clouds making their way overhead in the afternoon, Weatherby wasn't sure he was going to venture too far in case he got stuck in the rain.
"But my first stop is Tim Hortons. It's my home away from home," he said.
Cale Wadden, a sales consultant for the Maritime Provinces with Drive Medical, was on hand to explain a couple of things to Weatherby and his family when MacQuarries Pharmasave Home Health Centre delivered the scooter.
"This is considered a large size and it's good for outdoor mobility," explained Wadden, adding Weatherby will be able to clear higher grounds. It also has a bigger battery, giving Weatherby more power.
"He'll be able to travel 23 miles, or about 40 kilometres, on the battery and he can go up to seven miles per hour."
The Prowler scooter also came with a hitch installed and a universal, weatherproof cart.
"The cart can hold up to 50 pounds and I think Steve is going to use that," said Wadden.
Watching her brother drive up the street, turn around and come back with neighbourhood kids running after him, Kathy MacKay regained her composure before she could say anything.
"It's great to see him mobile again," she said. "And to see that big smile back on his face. Steve's a pretty special guy."
Both MacKay and her husband, Don, are happy to see Weatherby with his independence back, which the thief or thieves took when they took his scooter.
"He's always been an independent guy, so it's nice to see his mobility and freedom. He's a happy man today."
Along with the donated scooter, people in the community are also organizing fundraisers to help build Weatherby a new shed, with Iller Door Systems Ltd. donating an electric garage door for the shed.
Last week, Weatherby got word that his scooter was found outside Subway Furniture, however he's unsure if the scooter still works.
rtetanish@trurodaily.com
Yes, I would say this is news...GOOD news for a change.