Mikey Watson – Zach Cooley

Lodge lends hand to those in need

April 16, 2025 Zach Cooley No Comments

When I became a member of the Wytheville Moose Lodge #394 four years ago, I was already aware of some of the wonderful things the organization does for the community. I have known Dan Biertzer for the last sixteen years and consider him one of the greatest assets to our community as the administrator of the local organization. When I was a member of the now-defunct Heavenly Angels Foundation, which benefited the disabled community of Southwest Virginia, we held our annual fundraiser there every year, and they always gave us a sizable donation. I’m always deeply touched whenever anyone in the community reaches out to the disabled population. Being born with cerebral palsy myself, I know how difficult it is for wheelchair-bound individuals to function as normal members of society. We have to overcome obstacles and jump through hoops that are often hindered by the government. I was honored to be invited to a monthly meeting of the Wytheville Moose Lodge on March 11th, during which my 17-year-old friend, Mikey Watson, who suffers from the same affliction as I do, was presented with a $1,000 check subsidize the cost of a travel wheelchair with a power accessory. Mikey received the chair from a non-profit organization called Wheelchairs 4 Kids, based out of Florida. This organization provides mobility equipment to children nationwide under the age of 21. Mikey had the help of his devoted aunt, my dear friend Sarah Taylor, in securing the chair free of charge. However, the cost of the chair is subsidized by local and corporate donations. Even though the full amount for the chair had not been raised in terms of donations, Wheelchairs 4 Kids advanced Mikey the chair. In their usual generous fashion, the Wytheville Moose Lodge was on hand to cover $1,000 of the chair’s cost and presented Mikey with the check. “We are so glad we are able to help Mikey with this endeavor,” Dan said. “We are thrilled that this chair will give Mikey a new sense of independence and help him be able to travel more.” Philanthropic actions such as this make me so proud to be a part of such an organization. I must admit that I first joined the Moose Lodge because of their terrific food. It is my favorite place to eat out and one of the only places I care to travel for that purpose these days. However, after attending the March 11th meeting, it occurred to me that I want to assist the Moose Lodge more in their civic activities. I have admired Dan Biertzer from day one for his ability to give so selflessly to the organization and the community. The people of the Moose Lodge have become part of my extended family in many ways, and I feel that I could come to them with any need that I might have in the future. More importantly, maybe I can help other people in my situation, like Mikey, to have a better quality of life. My wife and I became members of the Moose Lodge after being sponsored by Greg and Sarah Taylor, Mikey’s aunt and uncle, who not only arranged for the acquisition of the chair, but also for the donation from the Moose Lodge. The Moose Lodge, in their efforts, reaffirm my pride in being a lifelong citizen of Wytheville, and I encourage all members of our community to join this worthwhile organization. There are a number of fun community activities happening regularly at our local Moose Lodge building at 1350 West Main Street, not to mention excellent food, daily specials, and live entertainment. My monthly trips to the Moose Lodge for a steak dinner have become a highlight of my family’s social activities. My 10-year-old daughter even enjoys going there, and I’m thankful that, even though it is primarily an adult organization, it is a safe place to bring the entire family. I am very grateful for all the Moose Lodge has done for me and all that it continues to do for the community. It’s people like Mikey who deserve to be championed, and I’m delighted to have witnessed that firsthand. “I really want to thank the Moose Lodge for all they’ve done for me,” Mikey said. “I love coming to the Moose Lodge and hanging out with my family and friends, and I’m very happy to receive this generous donation from them.”

Strictly Observing

Mikey Watson: Wheelchairs 4 Kids

April 15, 2025 Sarah T No Comments

Mikey Watson celebrated his 17th birthday on February 8th with an extra special gift. Like me, the Marion resident suffers from cerebral palsy and desperately needed a travel power wheelchair. When insurance denied his claim, Mikey’s devoted aunt and my longtime friend, Sarah Taylor, located a Florida-based company that funds mobility devices for children up to the age of 21. Through sponsorship, Mikey received his power wheelchair from Wheelchairs 4 Kids just in time for his birthday. “I like the opportunity to be more independent,” Mikey told me. “I want to go on more trips and the new chair will make that easier. It is easy to lift and travels at a walking speed, not too fast and not too slow.” I spoke with Programs Manager Nina Shaw, who explained to me how they helped my young friend. “A lightweight power chair gives Mikey the independence of a motorized device without the need for a special vehicle,” she explained. “They can fold up like a stroller and be stowed in the trunk of a car, which opens up a whole new world of opportunities for Mikey.” Wheelchairs 4 Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with physical disabilities, founded in 2011 by Madeline Robinson, who formerly with another wish-granting organization. She founded her organization with her loving husband Lonnie who encouraged her when she was dismayed at the disheveled condition of these children’s equipment. “Well, are you going to talk about it or do something?” he asked. As a result, Wheelchairs 4 Kids was born. Since then, more than 1,800 children with mobility impairments from across the country have been aided at no cost to them. Nina Shaw joined the organization just over eight years ago when she moved to Florida. She started out as a program coordinator before being promoted to project manager, where she now leads a team of five. “We have the most fun job in the company,” Shaw stated. “We get to talk to the kids and their families and be there when they receive their equipment.” She also noted that kids aren’t always as thrilled about receiving wheelchairs as their parents are. So, Shaw and her team go the extra mile by bringing gifts for the kids and creating presentations to make the experience more enjoyable for them. For Shaw, it is particularly heartwarming to see the tears of joy on the faces of the parents when they receive the equipment that insurance had previously denied for their child. “These families have fought with Medicaid for basic needs for their children and been turned down,” she said. “We get to come in and give them what they deserve—free, to keep forever. It’s a really awesome job to have.” Shaw also mentioned their Wheely Fun Day program, an inclusion event created by the organization, which allows wheelchair-bound kids to experience things like zip lining at Gatorland in Orlando. “I just got a letter from a parent expressing gratitude because she never believed her child could experience anything like that,” she added. “Most people are not aware that things like this are possible for their kids, and it’s great to make families aware of that.” Shaw says these events also foster a sense of community, where parents of disabled children can connect and form support groups. Disabled children also have the chance to meet peers who are like them. Though Shaw did not meet Mikey personally, she acknowledges that the company is growing, which allows them to sponsor children nationwide. Wheelchairs 4 Kids reaches out to local charities and social clubs for sponsorship and conducts social media campaigns encouraging friends and family to donate. “I tell family and friends that we will do whatever it takes to find the equipment their kids need,” she asserted. “We will look under rocks for the money if we need to, but we will make it happen.” Besides wheelchairs, the organization provides other mobility equipment, such as standers, gait trainers, and walkers. They also assist with small home modifications, like widening doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, and provide entrance and exit ramps and bathroom remodels for roll-in showers. They can even subsidize the addition of small lifts to modified vehicles, enabling unoccupied wheelchairs to be properly transported. “Even though power chairs are often obtained through insurance, families are often faced with only being able to use the power chair inside their homes or on the school bus,” Shaw noted. “These are problems we try to solve.” Shaw says she has learned about the endless variety of individual equipment needs for every person. No two cases are the same, so there is no blueprint for mobility equipment. “The prices of these equipment modifications are astounding,” she said. “They are unnecessarily high simply because they are for special needs.” “People don’t know how to interact with people with disabilities,” she added. “They don’t understand that they’re just like everyone else. I enjoy getting to be an advocate for them to help break the barrier between the disabled community and the rest of the world.” In closing, Shaw mentioned the Guardians of the Wheel Kids Club, where donors can set up automatic monthly donations to the program, starting at a minimum of $10. As for Mikey, he plans to celebrate his birthday by hosting a Wheelchairs 4 Kids fundraiser party. For more information on the organization and how to donate, visit www.wheelchairs4kids.org.

Strictly Observing