Springfield, Ore. – After a decade-long battle with a debilitating foot injury and the complications of diabetic neuropathy, Kelly Martinez has regained her independence thanks to the collaborative efforts of two local organizations. Martinez, who lost both her job and her ability to safely drive, is now back on the road and starting a new job, a testament to the power of community support and adaptive technology.
Martinez’s journey began with a foot injury that initially seemed manageable. Though, combined with diabetic neuropathy, it gradually eroded her ability to feel her feet, making driving increasingly dangerous. “When I would go to step on my brake, I would kind of like miss, or I would have to kind of find it. I don’t feel my feet any longer,” Martinez explained. This loss of mobility threatened her ability to maintain employment and ultimately led to job loss.
Facing the challenge of finding perform while needing to fulfill unemployment requirements – “When you’re on unemployment, you have to go and find five jobs a week” – Martinez sought assistance. Ridesource provided transportation to medical appointments, but lacked the capacity to support her job search. The solution came through United Access, a provider of wheelchair accessible vehicles and mobility products, and a grant from the Blanche Fischer Foundation.
Adaptive Technology Restores Driving Ability
United Access identified hand controls and a steering aid as the key to enabling Martinez to drive safely. However, the cost of these modifications presented a significant barrier. “She went through the driving evaluation and then realized that it was going to cost more money than she could afford, so I reached out to Kristin to help get a grant,” said Kathy Morgan, a Mobility Specialist at United Access.
A Springfield woman lost her job, her home, and her mobility due to the onset of a physical disability.
But two local agencies stepped in and worked together to ensure she got back on her feet and reclaimed her independence by getting her back behind the wheel.
A decade ago, Kelly Martinez suffered an injury that shattered her foot, and that combined with diabetic neuropathy caused her to gradually lose feeling in her feet. (Gold Meadows/SBG)
That’s when United Access turned to the Blanche Fischer Foundation, a local organization that had recently been revitalized after a period of dormancy. The foundation, which provides financial assistance to individuals with disabilities, was able to approve a grant to cover the cost of the necessary modifications. “We actually have resources to give again, and so now — people didn’t know we were around still. People thought we had kind of folded our doors and we weren’t giving grants anymore. We serve anybody really that has a need that’s low income ideally. They’re an Oregon resident, and they just want to maintain independence,” explained Kristin Fay Venus, Executive Director of the Blanche Fischer Foundation. The foundation has already awarded eight grants to permanently disabled individuals in the last three months.
A Renewed Focus on Independence
Early this year, Martinez received her adapted vehicle and was back on the road. “They called me one day and they said, ‘Let’s produce a date.’ And I was — thank God. Yeah. So within one day I was back on the road. It was scary as it had been like almost nine months since I had driven. It was perfect, and since then I have been taking myself,” she said. She has also secured a new job, starting Monday.
Then in June of last year, Martinez noticed her time on the road becoming dangerous.
“When I would go to like step on my break, I would kind of like miss, or I would have to kind of find it. I don’t feel my feet any longer,” Martinez said.(Gold Meadows/SBG)
The impact of this collaboration extends beyond Martinez’s individual success. “I was just really happy to witness how much joy it brought her,” Venus said. Morgan echoed this sentiment, stating, “Yeah, she was grinning from ear to ear. What we have is why I do my job.”
“We actually have resources to give again, and so now — people didn’t know we were around still. People thought we had kind of folded our doors and we weren’t giving grants anymore. We serve anybody really that has a need that’s low income ideally. They’re an Oregon resident, and they just want to maintain independence,” Blanche Fischer Foundation Executive Director Kristin Fay Venus. (Gold Meadows/SBG)
Martinez hopes her story will raise awareness of both the Blanche Fischer Foundation’s renewed availability and the resources offered by United Access to individuals with disabilities. The success of this partnership highlights the importance of accessible transportation and financial assistance in empowering people to live independent and fulfilling lives.
A Springfield woman lost her job, her home, and her mobility due to the onset of a physical disability.
But two local agencies stepped in and worked together to ensure she got back on her feet and reclaimed her independence by getting her back behind the wheel. (Gold Meadows/SBG)
Looking ahead, both organizations plan to continue their outreach efforts, connecting with individuals who may benefit from their services. The Blanche Fischer Foundation will continue to evaluate grant applications, while United Access remains committed to providing adaptive equipment and support to those seeking greater mobility. This collaborative approach promises to make a significant difference in the lives of many more individuals facing similar challenges in the future.
What are your thoughts on the importance of accessible transportation and community support for individuals with disabilities? Share your comments below and help spread awareness of these vital resources.
