Leading for Health Equity
EQUITY: A Different Perspective
by Monalisa Tailor, MD
Equity can take on many forms. Being able-bodied, compared to someone limited in body control, is not something many of us have had to experience. I recently answered the call for volunteers from Denise Sears, President and CEO of SOS( formerly Supplies Overseas). I volunteered with SOS for their quarterly wheelchair clinic, located at the Thrive Center off Brook and Broadway. This clinic is meant to help repair wheelchairs and mobility devices for individuals. There was a line eagerly waiting outside the door when I arrived. As a volunteer, I was on history duty, meeting individuals, learning their stories and learning about their devices. The first few individuals had heard about the wheelchair clinic from the homeless shelter where they were residing. One lady was preparing for joint surgery later in the week, using a wheelchair to get around and would likely continue to need it while she recovered. Another lady had a disability from birth, using a second-hand wheelchair to get around. It was not fitted for her so she came to see if we could help. Her legs were restricted due to the footplate, and the cushion had lost its cushiness.
While we worked on their devices, later in the morning another woman arrived. She’ s a healthcare worker, an only child who cares for her aging parents. Her mom has dementia, and her mom’ s rollator and wheelchair had fallen into disrepair. This healthcare worker’ s schedule limited her ability to repair these items for her mom. This lady only learned of the opportunity on one of the morning news shows and was grateful she could come since it was the weekend. This helped her do something she hadn’ t been able to do for months.
Another lady arrived shortly after her with a battered and worn wheelchair. It was for her 14-year-old daughter who has a condition that limits her physical ability. This family lives in Oldham County, they have insurance, but the insurance restrictions only cover either a car seat or a wheelchair, with restrictions on time frame. This mom had to get the car seat for safety and lacked the ability to get the wheelchair updated. Mom shared the struggles of getting her daughter to the store, restaurants or football games. The story that resonated was her 14-year-old wanted to support her sibling with football. Yet the wheelchair ramp could be blocked in public spaces, and unfortunately, the limited seating put her wheelchair close to the edge of the field and the trash cans.
The lady who came in after her had recently become bound to an assistive device. She is a mother of four, and while giving birth to her last child she became paralyzed in part of her legs. She was using a scooter to get around. She shared her struggle, the lack of awareness of her condition and the difficulty getting around downtown with her device. There are potholes, uneven sidewalks and concrete barriers that pop up, making it difficult to navigate. She was frustrated that these barriers made it hard for her to get her children to the park.
All these individuals came from different economic situations and different circumstances. Their commonality was the use of a mobility device that all too often interfered with finding equitable spaces in their city. These individuals should be able to access the grocery, restaurants, the parks, sports and social events just like able-bodied individuals. The intersectionality of their identities underscores the importance of equitable spaces for all.
That day helped me have a better understanding of what these individuals and their families face every day. I hope we can all be more mindful of individuals who need a device like this, when we are considering our spaces within healthcare and in public spaces. I’ m glad SOS can help these individuals with these wheelchair clinics. May we all strive to do better to make our own city more equitable. If you want to support the wheelchair clinic and the initiatives of SOS, go to soshealthandhope. org. According to longtime volunteer Amy Verst, what they need the most are batteries for the power chairs – one could direct donations on their website to that end.
Editor’ s Note: Go hunt around in your toolboxes: they need all sorts of nuts, bolts and screws because each power chair manufacturer favors its own type. Nothing is standardized, so they need a large variety of these on hand. I am happy to pick up and deliver; you all can reach me at marygbarry @ aol. com. On a happy note: Amy’ s dog Lucy is a huge hit at these chair clinics. She cheers and calms everyone, every time. Hail Lucy!
Dr. Tailor is a practicing internal medicine physician at Norton Community Medical Associates: Hurstbourne.
September 2026 7