Mobility for U® has a list of resources that can bring “light to the darkness” and assist families with the hard decisions that affect the care of a senior or someone with special needs—even at the last minute! Many of us in the health care industry are familiar with the crisis situations that people are faced with and are prepared with solutions for every situation. Very few people change the oil in their own vehicles, but will head out on the road to care for their loved ones by themselves. They soon discover how difficult things can become. If only they sought help at the beginning, everyone would benefit. Call Mobility for U®at 314-873-6814, we are truly only a phone call away.
Our phones do not stop ringing from people who are forced to make immediate decisions concerning the care and placement of their loved ones. And unfortunately, these family decision makers are frequently at a loss of where to go and who to talk to for good advice. In short, they don’t know what they don’t know—the questions to ask to get the information that they need. This is the part of Mobility for U® that I love the most—solving problems for families and steering them in the right direction. There are so many resources that can provide useful assistance. Our constant wish is that families would contact us so that we can help.
We will be celebrating our 7 Year Anniversary soon and Mobility for U® continues to grow. I never thought that this service would grow into such an important transportation company, but we continue to offer new services to an ever-expanding family of customers. But, more importantly, Mobility for U® has given me the privilege to meet so many wonderful and compassionate people. From nurses in the various hospitals, to caregivers in the assisted living centers to independent contractors who perform services to our seniors and people with special needs, everyone is so willing to give assistance and worthwhile advice. I am truly proud to be a member of this wonderful group.
Thanks to the ingenuity of people and companies around the world our seniors, loved ones with special needs and veterans have more mobility than ever before. New wheelchairs, scooters and other devices allow people to climb stairs, enjoy the outdoors, cruise the oceans and experience things that were never accessible to them before. BUT, we still have a long way to go to reach our goal of Equal Access. And, we the people who are fortunate and don’t need these aids must become more aware of the remaining barriers that remain. I see so many people who won’t hold open a door for a person in a wheelchair, or help reach an item on an upper shelf in a retail store or help a person with their coat or help rearrange a table in a restaurant. I believe that everyone should spend a day in a wheelchair—then they would understand how difficult life can be. It only takes a moment to perform an act of kindness to a person who may not even ask for it.
Words cannot begin to express the emotional ties that I have for Mobility for U® and our clients. The transportation service that we have developed brings seniors and people with special needs closer to their families and allows them to continue to experience all that life offers. Throughout our 6 ½ year history, Mobility for U® has been asked to provide many, varied transportation services to people who otherwise would not be able to attend their family’s weddings, reunions, birthday parties of their grandchildren, tour our magnificent country, or just go out to lunch with their friends. I only wish that I could convince the families of our seniors, loved ones, and veterans not confine these friends and family members to nursing home communities and assisted living centers. We are all Social Beings—all of us need social interaction and stimulation. Please join me and let them know that they are not forgotten or abandoned.
An extremely wonderful man wanted to fulfill one of his father’s last wishes. The wish was visiting the WWII Memorial in Washington, D.C. So, I worked with several vendors to help make his Dad’s wish come true. We finalized the arrangements for the son to drive one of our Mobility for U® vans to our nation’s capital. It was truly a heartwarming experience meeting these wonderful people.
One of my favorite Mobility for U® stories involves two Gulf War Veterans. I received a call from a young woman in California who needed to rent one of our Mobility for U® wheelchair accessible vans for a week. She and her husband were coming to St. Louis to visit some friends. The arrangements were finalized, and I agreed to pick them up at Lambert International Airport on their arrival date. I met them at the baggage claim area and immediately recognized her husband, who was in an electric wheelchair. Standing next to him was a woman with artificial legs. I approached the couple, introduced myself, helped them with their luggage and escorted them to our van. I asked the woman if she would be driving the van and, to my amazement, she said, “yes”. When we reached the vehicle, she produced a set of removable hand controls, from her luggage and skillfully attached them to the brake and accelerator pedals. When she finished, she jumped into the driver’s seat and took control of the vehicle. She proceeded to tell me that she met her husband in a military hospital in Iraq, where they were both injured in the line of duty. They started a relationship and tied the knot 6 months later. Now they care for each other. It was a very memorable and humbling moment for me to witness a true love story.
Several years ago, I donated one of our Mobility for U® vans to shuttle veterans with special needs from the parking lot of the Chesterfield Air Show to the air show venue, I was fortunate enough to do the driving! It was one of the most inspiring days of my life. These men and women kept thanking me for my service. All I wanted to do was show them that we appreciated the sacrifices that they had made serving our country. I feel that we as a country don’t do enough for our veterans, so with that said next time you see a veteran please thank them for their service.
Maintaining family connections is life sustaining to someone who has limited mobility. Your service made it possible for our special needs family members to visit elderly Aunts and Uncles on December 26th. with the entire family. Challenging health issues forced us to change and adapt plans. The Angels lead us to you. We were blessed to visit our Dear Ones aged 103, 97, 91, 89 and 87.
It’s not every day that you come across an individual like Mike Flotken and a company like Mobility for U. Mike not only exceeds your expectations, but also gives you the peace of mind and reassurance that you don’t know you need until that moment arrives. I contacted Mike on very short notice to transport my aunt who suffers from Alzheimer’s and a recent fall; I asked Mike to transport my aunt from a St. Louis hospital to a nearby assisted living facility. Mike went above and beyond to make sure that my aunt was properly taken care of and comfortable. Mike made sure that a wheelchair was ready for her a day in advance and he even personally drove my dad from the hospital to the assisted living home just to make sure everyone was transported safely and EASILY! I cannot say enough nice things about Mike. He is true to his mission, his passion and oversees every client experience. Mike and Mobility for U is the flagship of transportation services for our loved ones.
