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How My Co-Workers Stepped In When Insurance Wouldn't Cover a New Wheelchair

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I received the greatest act of kindness last month from my work family.

But before I tell you the amazing thing they did, I want to give a little context.

I have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome(POTS) and neurocardiogenic syncope. These illnesses cause my to pass out while standing, among other symptoms. To prevent any more concussions, I use a wheelchair and different types of headgear when I’m not using my sweet wheels!

I am so grateful for the wheelchair I currently have. It has been a blessing. Insurance wouldn’t cover it, so my husband and I paid for it out of pocket roughly nine years ago. We’ve recently tried to get insurance to cover a new chair, but they keep denying it.

With us buying a new house and other things, getting a new chair was not on the top of my list.

When Dad had to have part of his leg amputated due to his diabetes, I was doing fairly well, so I gave him my sweet wheels.

It was well-used, as it should have been!

Then after he passed, I started using it again to help limit my risk of passing out.

At this time, the arm pads on the wheelchair are cracked and torn, the seat is cracking and it’s squeaky when I wheel. I still use it every day, grateful that I have this device to get me around without the risk of passing out and getting, yet again, another concussion.

Here’s the amazing part.

My team and a few people who recently moved to other areas in the company I work for pitched in and bought me a new wheelchair!

Please see the videos below:

My heart is filled with so much love and appreciation, I tear up every time I think about it!

These amazing people came together to make my life easier.

I never once asked for anyone to do this, but they are so exceptionally kind, they took it upon themselves to make this happen.

I wish I had the words to express my gratitude and appreciation for them. Their compassion and kindness has filled my heart in a way I can’t describe.

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Not only did they get me a new wheelchair, but they made sure it was my favorite color, purple. They also know I keep little trinkets on my desk, so they got me a matching mini-wheelchair for my desk! They are truly amazing humans.

For those of you who don’t know, every time I pass out at work, security needs to be called. They created a code for me, “CODE AG,” so they know who it’s for and where to go. They make sure I know everyone on the team, and when I have to go to a different building for meetings, I tell them. This way just in case something happens, they can get to me as quickly as possible. Even my security team at work takes good care of me. Now, “CODE AG” is on the back of my new wheelchair.

A wheelchair user using a thumb up, facing away. On the back of her wheelchair, it reads CODE AG

People talk about how dark the world is, and how mean and selfish everyone is.

However, I see the complete opposite.

I see a world where people are there for one another and build each other up.

I see a world where there is so much light, love and kindness that is spread every day.

This is proof that there are good, compassionate, loving humans out there. I am blessed beyond measure to have them in my life!

Images provided by contributor

Originally published: February 8, 2019
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