Physical Therapy Student Uses Social Media To Provide Free Medical Equipment For Seniors

• Senior citizens who cannot afford medical equipment needed for physical therapy have been getting help through social media.
• Physical therapy student has called for donations for wheelchairs, canes, walkers on her account and GoFundMe page.
• Crowdsourcing has provided for needed medical equipment for free.

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As someone born with Erb’s Palsy, Diptee Pathak knows the importance of having the right medical equipment for physical therapy needs.  What she went through to recover has inspired her to help other people heal.

Now into her final year of her doctoral program in physical therapy, she has rallied for free medical equipment for the senior citizens in her community through the use of social media.

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A post shared by Diptee Pathak (@diptee.pathak)

In her Instagram post she wrote: “Over the last few years, I have seen many problems arise in our community … patients having broken or loose brakes on their rollators, not having footrests on their wheelchairs, or just having wobbly old walkers. This is all increasing their risk for falls. In many of these cases, people living in low-income areas may not have the funds or ability to purchase these necessary items.”

Her posts call for donations for unused walkers, canes, wheelchairs, and other proper medical equipment needed by the elderly.  Cash donations are channeled to a GoFundMe page that would enable them to purchase these tools.

Since her initial call, Diptee has already collected more than 50 pieces of medical equipment.  Donations of medical tools like these have been better with the pandemic since donations to larger organizations have been limited.

One of the recipients of Diptee’s call is 73-year-old Lawrence McNutt who fell down while using his walker.  The reason he fell down was because he was using a walker that was too small for him. To provide him more stability, he needed a wider frame.

With Diptee’s crowdsourcing efforts, Lawrence was able to have a new walker for free!

This is just a testament that even before finishing her program, Diptee has shown dedication to her work, her patients, and community.

Way to go, Diptee! 

Source: Inspire More