Helping people get around is NEAT goal

Hartford, Conn. (WTNH) - Bob Ludwig needed a transport wheelchair to use when he took his 93-year-old mother out of the house. But Medicaid wouldn't pay for it. So he came to the NEAT Marketplace in Hartford.

"They had one and we purchased it and it's been very helpful for the family to have," he said.

NEAT is the New England Assistive Technology Resource & Education Center in Hartford. They have a workshop where old or damaged wheelchairs, walkers, scooters are put back together good as new and sold for less than half what they would cost in the store.

"Because of insurance, Medicaid, a lot of people are falling through the gaps," Don Hoerman from NEAT said. "They have to buy things on their own, very expensive."

NEAT is part of Oak Hill, the largest private non-profit provider of services for the disabled in Connecticut. They also help with education, housing, and they employ those who other companies may deem unemployable.

Vietnam Veteran Donnie Donais had a traumatic brain injury years ago. He's had a hard time keeping a job. But here, he fixes and cleans wheelchairs and he's one of NEAT's best technicians.

"The people are great, the atmosphere is nice, not a rat race type atmosphere," Donais said.

NEAT has so many donations and can turn things around so fast, they are able to work with international agencies. They recently donated 300 walkers to the Haiti relief effort.

This program is way ahead of the curve. Going green, it has been recycling for ten years now.

"When Aunt Edna passed away she had a bedroom and bathroom full of equipment," Hoerman said. "We'll pick it up for free. It'll stay out of the landfill and won't be in someone's garage neglected."

If you would like to donate any equipment to NEAT you can go to www.neatmarketplace.org or call at 860-286-3107.