Author: eanderson

This past April, the Boston Marathon celebrated the 50th anniversary of Bob Hall tearing down barriers for wheelchair racers in Boston and paving the way for wheelchair marathoners worldwide. Renowned marathon legends Bob Hall and Bill Rodgers were grand marshals for the 129th Boston Marathon.

Now REquipment is thrilled to announce that Bob Hall has generously donated charity bibs for the 130th Boston Marathon to benefit your favorite nonprofit. Yes, REquipment is going to the races in 2026!

Have you always wanted to run the Boston Marathon? Join Bob Hall’s REquipment Racers and help tear down barriers in Massachusetts to durable home medical equipment and assistive technology for individuals with disabilities.

These bibs are an amazing opportunity for marathoners of all stripes.

• Marathoners who have not qualified for Boston but want to race can apply and sign up for a REquipment charity bib with free registration. REquipment is looking for racers eager to hit defined fundraising goals and get the word out about the nonprofit that changes lives across Massachusetts with free equipment.
• Marathoners who have qualified for Boston can also join Bob Hall’s REquipment Racers and fundraise with their own bib.

The team member who raises the most money for REquipment will be awarded a 2025 Boston Marathon banner, autographed by Bob Hall, featuring his historic race.

Needless to say, marathoners with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply!

Learn more and apply for Bob Hall’s REquipment Racers at the 130th Boston Marathon sponsored by Bank of America.

Read how Bob Hall ignited wheelchair marathoning around the world (Boston.com)

And stay tuned for more about the incredible partnership Bob Hall is forging with REquipment Durable Medical Equipment and Assistive Technology Reuse Program, Inc.

Yesterday, hundreds came together in downtown Boston to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

REquipment, Inc. joined as a co-sponsor and provided free t-shirts, hats, bags, and, best of all, manual wheelchairs. 

In fact, Reggie Clark came by and left with a new-to-him Drive manual wheelchair.

An hour later, Reggie was at the microphone under the flagpole, speaking clearly for disability rights.

“Tell your congressman, your city council, your town, anybody, make sure you tell them you have rights!,” Reggie told the crowd from that REquipment, Inc. chair (swelling us with pride).

After the ADA 35 flag went up the pole, the crowd turned to roll and walk between City Hall Plaza and the Embrace sculpture, full of determination for inclusion and accessibility and a resolve to keep rolling forward despite current-day threats to laws long fought for.

The march was powered by pride, community, and some tangible results of 35 years of the Americans with Disabilities Act: curb cuts that allow mobility equipment to move unobstructed, accessible public transportation so more residents could attend and demand further improvements to a state that must no longer hide people away.

That’s a fear Reggie Clark understands very well. At City Hall Plaza, he told the crowd he’d spent many years locked away at the Fernald Development Center in Waltham. (He’s lived independently since 1983. Learn more about Reggie Clark and Fernald.)

His friend, the disability rights historian Alex Green, also spoke, “This is a moment where we need transformational change, and transformational change cannot be segregated.”

Alex called on state leaders to fulfill their promises and prove their allyship, and for advocates to hold them accountable.

At the Embrace sculpture, dozens of demonstrators took photos with this art installation that commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King.

The words accompanying the sculpture resonated beautifully:

“Love is such a powerful force. It’s there for everyone to embrace — that kind of unconditional love for all of humankind. That is the kind of love that impels people to go into the community and try to change conditions for others, to take risks for what they believe in.”

The ADA 35 Boston slogan was “Rights to Fight For.” Adriana designed REquipment, Inc.’s ADA t-shirt using that slogan … which turns out was written by Alex Green.

Needless to say, Alex was delighted to have our t-shirt.

And REquipment could not be more honored to play a special part in Reggie Clark and Alex Green’s day spent celebrating the ADA. Both serve as powerful reminders to never give up.

Interested in Massachusetts’s disability history? Check out Alex Green’s new book A Perfect Turmoil: Walter E. Fernald and the Struggle to Care for America’s Disabled.

Interested in acquiring your own Rights to Fight For t-shirt? Check out REquipment’s ADA 35 merch.

REquipment is thrilled to introduce the 2025 Jennifer Baker Scholar.

Enrolled in a master’s program at Salem State for Occupational Therapy, Iris Medina always knew she wanted to work in healthcare, “helping others and contributing to society,” she wrote in her application’s essay.

Iris is from the United States, grew up in Guatemala, and discovered the field of OT while running her home daycare. She plans to use her $1,000 reward toward tuition.

REquipment is delighted to assist Iris with completing her education. Her goals align with the program’s mission to tear down barriers to the equipment individuals and families want and need.

Currently, Iris works in Early Intervention, where she has seen the benefits of reuse equipment for children, since the company she works for loans devices to families who cannot afford them. “We provide families with access to various pieces of assistive technology during their enrollment,” she explains. “This includes speech devices, feeding chairs, rolling walkers, sensory tools, mats, and foam equipment for gross motor development.”

Her ambition is to someday open a sensory integration playroom in an underserved community. She says she wants to create a space “where children with unique needs can play freely and be themselves.” And she plans to make the assistive technology for the children who cannot afford it.

Rock on, Iris!

We wish you all the success in this world that needs exactly you.

The Jennifer Baker Memorial Scholarship is a $1,000 award that honors the memory of REquipment’s beloved program director, who passed away at the beginning of 2022. Jen Baker was a lifelong learner who helped build the REquipment program.

It may not happen every day that REquipment has exactly what someone needs when they need it. But we hear it often enough to put wind beneath our wings. Hopefully, this story will inspire you, too. It’s about the power of reuse and the REquipment community to change lives. Working together, we can take action to keep this kind of magic possible in the Commonwealth.

In March, a mom requested a walker from REquipment after learning that the pediatric equipment clinic would be unable to evaluate her two-year-old daughter for six months.

The evaluation, of course, would be just the start of the paperwork. The family’s insurance would then undergo its authorization process.

Routine healthcare bottlenecks and insurance procedures would mean that her daughter, “Sara,” would not have this walker in time for the start of preschool in the fall. Months of essential gross motor and cognitive development would be delayed for lack of a small posterior walker.

Happily, REquipment disrupts business as usual in healthcare. Massachusetts residents see what they need on our program website, request it, and receive it for free. No insurance or prescription necessary.

In this case, Sara benefited from the serendipity made possible by our community of REquipment program users. Thanks to this community, our inventory had exactly what Early Intervention knew Sara needed, and thanks to our crackerjack staff, she got it in time. Sara had the small posterior walker in three days.

Sara’s mom says she moved from cruising to walking quickly, and three months in, she is having a complete blast with that walker. Sara’s teachers will be chasing after her in the classroom, a good thing. Independent mobility means empowered curiosity, greater spatial awareness, problem-solving, and self-confidence. Sara is off to a solid start.

This kind of timely intervention is the very basis for the value of Early Intervention services. However, it takes a village to accomplish. Even a village of programs all shaking hands with one another.

There’s much more to Sara’s story, and we will share it in the coming weeks. For now, how do we keep these successes rolling?

The answer is we share our successes with the Joint Conference Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature. And we do it NOW.

The Conference Committee is about to decide the fate of the REquipment program’s funding. At stake is $500,000, along with earmarking for the REquipment Durable Medical Equipment and Assistive Technology Program, Inc.

If the Joint Conference Committee does not support the Senate’s budget recommendation and agrees with the House’s (which falls short), the program will be devastated. These funds support the bones of the program: staff salaries, gas for vans, drop-off sites, and more.

Please contact your state lawmakers and ask them to support REquipment in the FY2026 budget by advocating for the program with the Conference Committee members. Your message is especially urgent if you live in a community represented by a member of the Conference Committee.

They are:

Constituents from the Fall River area –
Senator Michael J. Rodrigues
Senate Ways and Means Chair
Michael.Rodrigues@masenate.gov
Phone: (617) 722-1114

For Hampshire, Franklin, Worcester –
Senator Joanne M. Comerford
Jo.Comerford@masenate.gov
Phone: (617) 722-1532

For Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwood, Scituate, Weymouth, Cohasset –
Senator Patrick M. O’Connor
Assistant Minority Leader
Patrick.OConnor@masenate.gov
Phone: (617) 722-1646

For Downtown Boston –
Representative Aaron Michlewitz
House Ways and Means Chair
Aaron.M.Michlewitz@mahouse.gov
Phone: (617) 722-2990

For Essex, Manchester by the Sea, Gloucester –
Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante
Ann-Margaret.Ferrante@mahouse.gov
Phone: (617) 722-2380

For Brimfield, Holland, Wales, Ware, Sturbridge, Warren –
Representative Todd M. Smola
Todd.Smola@mahouse.gov
Phone: (617) 722-2100

Find my state legislators

Here is a template for what you might say or write:

“I’m [calling Senator NAME or Representative NAME] to urge them to please advocate with the Conference Committee to include the Senate budget’s $500,000 earmark and funding to the REquipment Durable Medical Equipment and Assistive Technology Reuse Program, Inc..

“DME and AT reuse are critically important to the well-being of people with disabilities, seniors, children, and families across Massachusetts, and they support the planet. Please help prevent this devastating cut. We can’t afford a $500,000 cut to DME/AT reuse. Line item 4120-4000 needs $14,827,398 to be fully funded.

“I know how important this program is… [provide a story of your own if you have one.] Thank you for your advocacy for REquipment, Inc.”

An easy way to take action is to use the Disability Policy Consortium’s Action Center. There, you simply enter your address and customize an auto-generated email that can be sent automatically to each of your state legislators, as well as the six members of the Conference Committee.

Thank you for taking action. Thank you for making more success stories like Sara’s possible. REquipment is your program.

Acting together, we can keep it.

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If you’ve been following REquipment, Inc. on social media, you are probably aware that it’s been another nail-biter budget season for the program with the state legislature.

The House budget bill released on April 31st did not include our $500,000 earmark that keeps the program whole, and Rep. Domb’s amendment to restore the funds was not adopted, despite achieving 31 co-sponsors.

Then, on May 7th, the Senate budget proposal also failed to include the $500,000 earmark for REquipment Inc.

The pressure mounted. Unless the Senate passed an amendment adding back REquipment Inc.’s $500,000, it would be the end of the road for the reuse program as we know it. It is unclear how REquipment can move forward without the $500K that supports staff, drivers, vans, and equipment.

On May 12th, however, Senator Michael Brady sponsored Amendment 568, and with another advocacy push from REquipment program champions across the state, Amendment 568 passed on May 20th.

Hoo-ray! This means REquipment is still in the running.

If you made a call, sent an email, and especially if you are a state senator who signed on to co-sponsor Amendment 568, thank you.

And if you are a constituent of a Senate sponsor or co-sponsor of Amendment 568, please take a moment to call their office and express your gratitude. They are: Senators Michael Brady, Rebecca Rausch,  Paul Mark, Bruce Tarr, Jacob Oliveira, James Eldridge, Pavel Payano, Dylan Fernandes, Patrick O’Connor, and John Velis. (Find their contact information here: Legislators)

These calls and emails matter. Your advocacy makes the difference in whether valuable, durable medical equipment and assistive technology will continue to be available without insurance hoops or hurdles in Massachusetts.

And the impact of your efforts is undeniable.

On the day the Senate budget proposal was released, REquipment received satisfaction surveys from 15 consumers spread across the state, and nearly all took the time to write a note of thanks.

“What a fantastic program. We can’t wait to give back.” – Charlestown, MA

“The process was easy and helped my family get a transfer wheelchair for my brother. I would highly recommend this [..]” – Sharon, MA

“Loved your service” – Springfield, MA

“very grateful” – Hyde Park, MA

“You are AMAZING! Thank you so much for the work you do.[…]” – Norwood, MA

“Excellent service. Received wheelchair for my daughter faster than expected. Great condition. Thank you.” – Brockton, MA

“The people who helped me get equipment for my mother were kind, courteous, and attentive to her needs.” – Greenfield, MA

“I was so appreciative that I was able to get this wheelchair that was much safer for my Dad.” – Marlborough, MA

“This is a wonderful service and I am so grateful!” – Arlington, MA

“Someone named Elijah went above and beyond,” – Williamsburgh, MA

“Brian the delivery driver was excellent and extremely friendly and helpful.” – Granville, MA

“You are the best, and I’m so glad my daughter told me about you. I have been on your page weekly to see if you have something I need or others I know” – Framingham, MA

[All of these, and more, were received by the program on May 7th, 2025.]

You did this. Your device and dollar donations. Your referrals. Your advocacy. The members of the REquipment community are looking out for one another.

Stay tuned. The budget’s next stop is with the Conference Committee. This is where the differences between the House and Senate proposals are hammered out. Expect more information from us in the coming days.

Thank you for everything you do!

Two days ago, we were surprised by an email from a REquipment program user. Jennifer Bruni let us know she’d contacted her state representative about co-signing the House budget amendment to prevent a deep cut to REquipment. She’d convinced Rep Tommy Vitolo to sign on. (Thank you Rep. Vitolo!)

Ordinarily, when you call your state rep’s office, you don’t get to talk to your lawmaker. Instead, a staff member will note the purpose of your call and share the message with your legislator.

But Jennifer clearly knows Rep. Vitolo.

“He said it was a ‘big ask’ but I showed him your website and talked about my son Sandro (who Tommy knew very well) and how Sandro benefited from REquipment.”

On the Massachusetts legislature’s website, we saw that Rep. Vitolo was, indeed, Amendment 1015’s third co-sponsor. Seriously impressed, we thanked her and asked if we could share her success on social media.

“Yes,” she wrote back, “of course you can! [And here is] Sandro’s obituary just as an FYI, so you know the person you helped.”

That stopped us in our tracks.

We saw she’d written that Tommy Vitolo “knew” Sandro, not “knows” him.

Sandro, it turns out, was her beautiful son who died last month at age 23 from cancer.

REquipment had provided him with a stander and a shower chair.

Alessandro’s story reminds us how precious life is and the importance of holding loved ones close.

“He was extremely loving and fiercely loyal to his family and friends,” his obituary tells us. “His sharp intelligence, playful sense of humor, kind and generous spirit, bone-crushing hugs, and handsome face will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”

Alessandro’s obituary makes it easy to see why his mom picked up the phone to advocate for the REquipment program.

“As if fighting a deadly cancer wasn’t enough, Sandro’s multiple surgeries caused him to become paralyzed from the chest down. He underwent six weeks of radiation, followed by months of daily chemotherapy, all without complaint.

“Over the past year and a half, Sandro faced overwhelming obstacles with the determination and courage that defined him as an athlete. Sandro regretted not being able to advocate more for the disabled community. He certainly raised our awareness of the daily difficulties and indignities that people with disabilities face.”

REquipment exists to help ease the difficulties experienced by individuals with disabilities and families like the Brunis. And REquipment exists because of the love, trust, and care shared in this community.

Someone (perhaps reading this) donated an EasyStand Evolv Stander, and someone else donated a rolling shower chair. Perhaps they’d lost loved ones, too, and wanted their equipment to have a second life to help someone else. In this case, that person was Sandro.

REquipment has the honor of introducing you to one another.

Let’s ensure that more families like the Brunis can avoid insurance hoops and hassles when they most need to spend quality time together.

Please call your state representative and ask them to help co-sign Amendment #1015. Help prevent a devastating $500,000 cut to the REquipment program. (Learn how and more about this proposed cut.)

 

If you follow REquipment on Facebook or Instagram, you know we’ve been celebrating #TestimonialTuesday for a while now. This is an opportunity for the program to share shoutouts from the REquipment community about how the program has made life a bit easier.

For as long as the program has been running, we’ve shared stories and quotes from program users in our annual reports and this blog. Please know that the staff works hard to earn them. No one takes your thanks and support for granted.

But they boost days spent answering the phones and navigating urgent needs REquipment cannot always solve.

In the past, these testimonials have come from calls and emails and in-person at pickups and dropoffs. Lately, however, and much to the boon of the program, they are gleaned from satisfaction surveys.

This is because we’ve created a new online form to receive your ratings and sent out the call to gather those cards. Our largest funder, MassAbility, requires us to collect “satisfaction” data, which the agency, in turn, needs for its federal reporting purposes. We have to show results not only in the numbers of people served but also in the satisfaction of program users. And if we fall short, we want to know why and have an opportunity to make it right or clarify our program policies.

Have you completed the satisfaction survey for equipment provided by the program? The form asks three simple questions and has an optional comments box. Another option is the hardcopy postcard we provide with delivered devices.

We are working to improve the response rate of those surveys. If you know your request ID number, it takes just a moment to check off those boxes. If you use the link to the survey we emailed you, that request ID number will already be filled out on the form.

Your feedback is so helpful. And it means the world to the REquipment program’s hardworking staff.

If you’ve called REquipment in the afternoon, you’ve probably spoken to Elijah Tucker. Elijah came on board in October as Equipment Intake Coordinator, the position responsible for processing donation requests and answering our general phone line each afternoon.

Elijah arrived with a wealth of unique skills and experiences. We are delighted to share this interview so the REquipment community can better get to know Elijah.

REQ: Tell us a little about yourself. Are you originally from Massachusetts? How did you come to work for REquipment?

ET: Yes, I was born and raised in Massachusetts and attended Fitchburg State. I wanted to work for REquipment because the mission is so important. Growing up with cerebral palsy, I experienced barriers to getting affordable DME and AT firsthand. So, playing a part in this mission is amazing. Also, I was looking for a change in employment to something more conducive to my body’s needs. Before this, I was doing food prep for a caterer. Now I don’t have to stand for half a day and can work from home.

What’s it been like to answer the phones for us? Any surprises?

Most people are so grateful we exist. And I’ve had different people tell me how helpful we’ve been, and their stories really bring me joy. That’s mostly what it’s like. But because of my speech, I’ve also been called not nice things, including the R-word. Thankfully, those callers are few and far between.

That’s horrible.

And ignorant. Then there are the well-meaning people who say they’ll pray for me to “get better” or “heal.” But cerebral palsy is not an illness.

It sounds like people can make a lot of assumptions when they hear your voice.

Callers are mostly really nice. However, people often assume I have an intellectual disability because my speech is different. And some are patronizing. The other day, a man kept calling me “Honey.”

How did you learn about the job opening with REquipment?

I’ve worked with Adriana [REquipment’s CEO] in the past, and she let me know there was an opening here. Before Covid, I worked for her assistive technology startup, Puffin Innovations, Inc.

That doesn’t sound like food prep.

Well, I have a BS in computer science, and I did my thesis on Artificial Intelligence for Disability. At Puffin, I helped develop technology to anticipate and respond to a person’s needs. That work began when I was introduced to Adriana at MassChallenge through a professor I’d had at Fitchburg State. They knew I’d been having trouble getting hired after I graduated and introduced me to Adriana. Unfortunately, Puffin took a hit during Covid.

And now you’re doing more for REquipment than the job requires …

I’ve been helping out with website management, accessibility, and design. I had built the Puffin, Inc. website. It feels good to give back here and use my skills while I’m in school.

You’re in grad school?

I’m getting my masters in data science.

Welcome to REquipment, Elijah. We’re so glad to have you on our team.