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New store gives options for getting around with easeBy Barbara Brown Most people may think only senior citizens would be interested in buying or renting a wheelchair, cane or safety bars for the bathroom. Anyone who breaks a leg, has a surgery or an accident has easier access to the apparatus that can help them get around during the recovery period. Wheelchairs can even be rented to take on family vacations that may require a lot of walking around. Quality Mobility Equipment (QME), based in Center City, opened a satellite store on 4th Street in Rush City in December. The store carries Durable Medical Equipment and Home Health Care Supplies in services from new and used manual and electric wheelchairs to bathroom safety equipment. Emily Carlson, general manager of the stores, said walk-in customers can find lower prices than many other places at QME. To rent a wheelchair for about one month would cost about $40, Carlson said. he said prices for rentals are determined at 10 percent of the retail price. Cost can be decreased on some items even more with a doctors prescription, Carlson said. The rental option is especially nice, Carlson said, because many people who need the equipment sold at QME donít want anything too permanent. ìIf they have to use a raised toilet seat, for example, they arenít going to want it to be permanent so their grandkids have to use it,î Carlson said. ìThey can put in a temporary one that they can take out easily themselves.î Most of the equipment sold at QME can be set-up and removed easily. For those who prefer more solid adjustments to their homes, Carlson said hand rails for showers and toilets can be easily installed. Special needs wheelchairs or one designed to the individual can be ordered through QME, Carlson said. She said the store carries a selection of electric scooters and wheelchairs. Both Carlson and store owner Steve Grossmann, work with their customers to make sure crutches, canes and walkers are adjusted properly. The Center City QME store opened in 1997 by Grossmann and it has bloomed into a family business. Grossmannís wife and three daughters, including Carlson, work at the stores. The Rush City storeís hours are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ©ECM Post Review |