18 May 2009

Go, Keith!!

Army Spc. Keith Maul of Pennsylvania gets a round of applause as he rides a new Segway. Photo and story: Joe Gromelski / S&S.


Keith is one of "our" former patients and it's wonderful to see him zipping around on his Segway. What's particularly amazing is that he was hurt just three months ago. You can see video stories about him from his local newspaper here and here.

Wounded servicemembers get new Segways

ARLINGTON, Va. — Thirty-nine more Segways were given to wounded warriors Thursday during a ceremony at the Iwo Jima Memorial, bringing to 340 the number of the personal transporters turned over through the Segs4Vets program of Disabilities Rights Advocates for Technology. ...

DRAFT's Segway program is financed solely through private donations, and the effort is definitely appreciated by the recipients.

"It's been a tremendous boon for my quality of life," said retired Staff Sgt. Dale Beatty of the North Carolina National Guard, who got his Segway last year and was on hand Thursday to help the new owners get used to their new means of mobility.

"It definitely increases my range as a bilateral amputee," Beatty said. "It's more conducive to good health than a wheelchair. It just lets me get out and play with my kids, go for long distances, whereas walking long distances, as any amputee knows, you've just got to sit down and take a break. Kids don't give you breaks."

Among the organizations supporting the effort is the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, which funds the Segways given to Marines and sailors. And the Corps was represented at the ceremony by one of most distinguished members, Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Col. Harvey C. "Barney" Barnum.

Make sure to click through to the Stars & Stripes article and look for the photo gallery. Some great stuff there! Here's the video story.

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