MPJ Mobility http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog MPJ Mobility Wheelchair Van Blog Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:14:38 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Converting Vans for Handicapped Passengers http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=215 http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=215#comments Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:14:38 +0000 The Mobility Resource http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=215 Continue reading →]]> Not all vans for handicapped passengers are converted in the same way. There are many different conversion processes that can be made depending on each individual’s need. Ease of access is obviously paramount in choosing the best handicapped van; so much of the decision process comes down to the entry method.

There are two primary entry methods that you will find on vans for handicapped passengers:

Side-Entry

Vans equipped with a side-entry conversion provide convenient wheelchair accessibility directly along the passenger side of the van. Because of the size of a van’s sliding doors, this allows plenty of room for entering and exiting the vehicle. With the use of a powered folding ramp, those using wheelchairs have a quick and convenient way to load into the van.

In most cases with a side-entry van, the passenger seat in the front can be removed in order to make room for a wheelchair. This also allows for the individual to transfer into the driver’s seat with ease.

Rear-Entry

Similar to side-entry vans, a van equipped with rear-entry also provides accommodating space and convenience. The only difference here is that the wheelchair would obviously enter from the back of the vehicle. Again, ramps can be utilized here as well in the form of either a power operated or manual model. Additionally, rear-entry conversion also allows you the added bonus of additional space in the rear of the van without hindering the space of the rear passenger seats. These conversions allow room for two wheelchairs in most cases.

Again, the ultimate choice in which conversion vans for handicapped passengers is right for you comes down to essential need. Depending on the scope of mobility limitations, one could potentially offer more than the other.

 

]]> http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=215 0 MDA Lock-Up Event http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=203 http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=203#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:16:29 +0000 chris http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=203 Continue reading →]]>

Dear Family and Friends,
I’m proud to tell you that I’m going “behind bars” to help in the fight against muscle disease. I’m joining other community leaders to help raise critical funds for MDA, and I need your help to reach my bail!

The Springfield 2012 Lock Up takes place on 03/15/2012, but I’m raising my bail before I go to jail! All you have to do is click here to make a secure, online donation today. Your support will help families living in our community with muscle disease, and help guarantee that I get out of jail. I will be sure to add you to my list of contributors.

Please support me in this important goal by visiting my fundraising page and making a contribution. Your tax-deductible donation makes a difference to the hundreds of kids, adults and their families who live right here in our local community.
Thanks in advance for your help. Don’t hesitate to call or email me with questions.

Thank You,
Chris Royer & MPJ, Inc.
To make a donation online now, please visit my personal page.

Chris Royer
Chris Royer

]]> http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=203 0 MPJ Mobility Helps Air Force Veteran Return to Active Lifestyle http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=198 http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=198#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:23:32 +0000 chris http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=198 Continue reading →]]>

 
MPJ Mobility Helps Air Force Veteran Return to Active Lifestyle
The Veterans Administration along with MPJ Mobility was instrumental in assisting a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War era return to an active lifestyle. Roger Nichols has a non service-connected disability, but he still was able to receive benefits from the VA. And, Roger wasn’t even aware that he was entitled to compensation in any form prior to asking a few questions of the kind folks at the VA-Roseburg office. Now he is able to once again take part in cheering on his beloved Oregon Ducks sports teams in person.
 
Please read the attached feature article below that was published in the Sunday Eugene Register-Guard newspaper on January 22, 2012.
_________________________________________________________
HIS HOOP DREAM

A Duck fan with multiple sclerosis gets a special birthday gift

By Greg Bolt

The Register-Guard

Published: (Monday, Jan 23, 2012 09:56AM) Midnight, Jan. 22

 Roger Nichols
Roger Nichols, 79, is a disabled Korean War veteran who got a new scooter chair and van that allowed him to see a game at the Matthew Knight Arena for the first time. He attended the game with his wife, Shirley Nichols (left), and daughter Deena Wanstall

Roger Nichols got his birthday present one day early on Saturday, but in a way it was almost 15 years in the making. 

Nichols, a Korean War veteran battling multiple sclerosis, turns 79 today. But he celebrated on Saturday by watching his first University of Oregon men’s basketball game in something like a decade and a half, and his first ever at the new Matthew Knight Arena.

“I’ve been wanting to come here and see this place,” he said from his second-deck perch. “And now I am.”

It happened thanks to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the folks at MPJ Mobility in Springfield, who together outfitted him with a powered chair, a ramp for his house and a wheelchair-accessible van. With that, a man who spent four years in the wartime Air Force and a career driving railroad trains is on the move again.

Born in Klamath Falls but raised in Eugene since the age of 2, Nichols is a lifelong Ducks fan. He watched football games when they still were played at Hayward Field and had been a regular at McArthur Court since he was in junior high.

After the war, he took his own kids to games, walking to Mac Court from their nearby home near East 17th Avenue and Orchard Street. But about the time he was thinking about retirement, he noticed something strange about his right leg.

His wife, Shirley, remembers seeing him mowing the lawn and noticing that one leg looked smaller than the other. He started to limp.

But it took three years for doctors to diagnose a relatively rare form of MS, one that affects only one side of the body. Over the years, it became harder for Nichols to get around. He used a walker or a wheelchair when he had to get somewhere, but eventually the MS left his right leg stiffened, and he couldn’t navigate the steps at Autzen Stadium or Mac Court anymore.

Then last year, someone suggested that the VA might be able to help. His daughter, Deena Wanstall, took a day off to drive him to the VA medical center in Roseburg, starting a process that ended Friday when Roger and Shirley picked up their converted van at MPJ Mobility. 

“It seems pretty slick,” Nichols said as he got a tour of the converted 2007 Toyota Sienna, complete with automatic sliding side doors and an electric ramp.

The real treat came Saturday, when Wanstall drove the three of them to Matt Arena in the van. Nichols had a spot in the wheelchair area just above the first level, near the northeast corner of the court.

Dressed in a Duck green shirt, he watched his team take the floor for the first time in ages.

“This is quite a place,” he said. “It’s almost like where the pros play basketball.”

Wanstall said she remembers going to games as a youngster, long before Nichols’ illness set in. When it became clear that he would be getting the powered chair and van, giving back much of his mobility, the first thing she thought of was getting him tickets to a basketball game.

“It was always a part of our lives,” she said. “He used to take us all the time.

“So I’m really happy I could get him here today.”

And the Ducks didn’t let him down, either. Down at halftime after a lackluster performance, the team pulled out a seven-point win over UCLA, sending Nichols home happy.

“They really looked good,” he said afterward. “It was a good game.

“It was a good day.”

“I’ve been wanting to come here and see this place. And now I am.”

- ROGER NICHOLS, FIRST-TIME MATTHEW KNIGHT ARENA VISITOR 

 http://www.registerguard.com/web/newslocalnews/27496920-41/nichols-game-van-arena-roger.html.csp
]]> http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=198 0 Feeding Hungry Children http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=191 http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=191#comments Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:08:22 +0000 chris http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=191 Continue reading →]]>

In December of 2009, David Jennings, President and Owner of MPJ, Inc. along side of his wife, Nancy Jennings started a program called Kids Food Pak in Sweet Home, OR.  Kids Food Pak is a program set up by volunteers to help make sure kids get healthy food on the weekends.  When asked what got them interested in starting a food program for kids, Dave and Nancy stated that they felt like God was calling them to get involved within their community, but they weren’t sure what that looked like.  While they were waiting and searching for a program that they could get involved in, they heard about a backpack program on KLOVE and were intrigued.  Then they saw similar programs on “60 Minutes” and “The Biggest Loser.”  They decided to check out their own community for something similar, but learned that no such program existed.  That’s when they began taking the steps to create a backpack program for their community. 

Starting with 10 backpacks such a short time ago, Kids Food Pak is now packing 156 backpacks every week to be sent home each Friday.  The kids receive their “KidsFoodPak” on Friday after school to take home with them providing meals for the weekend.  They must return the empty backpack by the following Monday in order to participate the following weekend.  Kids that are likely to need this kind of assistance are identified by school teachers and cousellors.

In part to this program Teachers and Counselors have reported increases in grades, and more importantly increases in attendance as well as improvements in attitudes. 

The food these kids receive is supplied by volunteers with “KidsFoodPak” and those who donate food at their local drop-off locations.  “KidsFoodPak” has placed food barrels at specific locations throughout the community and collects the donations every week.  “KidsFoodPak” is supported by  food donations, financial contributions, and of course the many volunteers.

 To donate to or learn more about KidsFoodPak please visit us at:  www.kidsfoodpak.com

]]> http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=191 0 MPJ Mobility offers New Products http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=184 http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=184#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:18:12 +0000 chris http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=184 Continue reading →]]> MPJ Mobility is proud to announce a new partnership with LWB Investments.

LWB offers two unique product lines for the end user.

LWB Back-Up Battery System

The LWB Back-Up Battery System is a must have for any wheelchair accessible vehicle on the market today.  This system is ideal in an emergency situation where you need ingress/egress from your vehicle.  With the simple flip of a switch on the dash you gain the ability to start your vehicle and operate your conversion.  With a bright LED indicator light on the dash you have the peace of mind that the system is working.

LWB Power Parking Brake

LWB Power Park Brake

LWB Power Park Brake is designed to be used by the independent driver as an alternative to the conventional foot operated device.  It comes complete with push-button control for easy operation

You can find more information about both of these products in the product page of our website, or give one of our staff a call here at MPJ Mobility.

]]> http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=184 0 Veteran Discounts ! http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=180 http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=180#comments Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:26:56 +0000 chris http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=180 Continue reading →]]> Veteran Discounts on Wheelchair Accesible Vans

BraunAbility & VMI Offer Discounts for Veterans

&

For a Limited Time MPJ Mobility is Matching BraunAbility’s Discount

BraunAbility is offering $1,111.00 discount on the purchase of a new wheelchair accessible van purchased by a veteran and delivered before December 31, 2011.

VMI is offering $1,000 off the purchase of a new handicap van for veterans who qualify for the federal auto grant, form (21-4502). 

To take advantage of these discounts please come visit our staff at MPJ Mobility

]]> http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?feed=rss2&p=180 0 Welcome To MPJ Mobility’s Blog http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=5 http://www.mpjmobility.com/Express2.0/Blog/?p=5#comments Tue, 03 May 2011 03:00:40 +0000 admin http://www.abilityweb.net/Express2.0/Blog/?p=5 Continue reading →]]> We have just launched our brand new web site at mpjmobility.com. Your one stop shop for wheelchair vans and handicap vans in Oregon. MPJ Mobility is pleased to announce that we are going to be keeping up to date with our customer via this blog right here. Stay tuned to find out:

  • When we are having sales on wheelchair accessible vans and products
  • Upcoming event info
  • Images / Videos of New Products
  • Recall Notices
  • New Employee Introductions
  • Local Wheelchair Sports Events & Happenings
  • And More!

We are excited about our new online social interaction with our customers via facebook. Make sure you subscribe today and stay up to date with everything mobility equipment related.

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