NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 8, 2021)—In partnership with the Pittsburgh Pirates, LiveLikeLou, and Phi Delta Theta, the Permobil Foundation gave a surprised fan a team-branded, custom Permobil power wheelchair at the Pirates home game on June 3.
Pictured: Dan Wingerter drives his new Permobile F3 Corpus power chair at PNC Park.
The reveal happened as part the first ever “Lou Gehrig Day” celebrations that will be taking place league-wide every June 2. Major League Baseball has agreed to set aside each June 2 to honor and celebrate the late Lou Gehrig, the legendary Yankees player whose career was cut short by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
“We are honored to be a part of the inaugural Lou Gehrig Day and to partner with MLB to help raise awareness in the fight against ALS,” says Ashley Davis, executive director of the Permobil Foundation. “Our goal is to ensure that every person has the right to mobility, and through impactful partnerships such as LiveLikeLou and Phi Delta Theta, we help fulfill those needs.”
Kathy Edson, associate executive director of the foundation, attended the Pittsburgh game and was thrilled to present Dan Wingerter with his new Permobil F3 Corpus custom Pirates’ wheelchair: “With this gift of mobility, Dan can enjoy greater functionality and independence as he lives each day with courage and strength. His Pirates chair will definitely turn heads for this lifelong Buccos fan!”
Edson and Dan’s sister Judy Wingerter witnessed the immediate change in his demeanor, from being slumped in a hospital-style manual chair to his sheer joy and immense relief riding in the new power wheelchair. “This gift of mobility will allow him to really start living his life again,” explains Wingerter.
Special thanks to Permobil rep Mike McNamara and provider Numotion for helping set up and deliver the wheelchair.
The Permobil Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life by empowering strength and independence to provide support and services so individuals can live a life without limitations. Permobil also fast tracks every ALS chair order through production to ensure each ALS patient gets their custom Permobil wheelchair without any delay.
Visit permobilfoundation.org for more information.
