The Police Officer’s Association of Michigan, through their partnership with Defender Mobility, has donated their 44th TracFab wheelchair to a veteran police officer as the 2023 Annual Convention came to an end on Friday, May 26, in Plainwell, Michigan. This donation to Tom Maher of the Kalamazoo Public Safety Department, a non-POAM member department, is a landmark event for the union and charity upon its twelfth year of gifting mobility aids to disabled veterans and police officers – no matter their union or department affiliation.
As a fellow brother of the law enforcement community, POAM and Defender Mobility saw it was their duty to gift Tom with a free all-terrain TracFab wheelchair, allowing him to return to the great outdoors with his family.
I had the honor of meeting Tom Maher and his wife, Jackie on May 26th. So many generous people contribute to Defender Mobility and rely on me and Ed Humpert to provide instant freedom with a brand new Trac Fab chair from Defender Mobility.
Tom was on his patrol motorcycle and traveling to work when he was struck by a driver going in the opposite direction. He was thrown a great distance from his bike and the wreck caused him to lose his left leg and become paralyzed at his waste. He is a Kalamazoo Public Safety Officer. Surrounded by talented friends, they built walkways and moved walls in their home before he was released from the hospital. Photographed are several of his closest pals. They are all prepared to accompany him back to the hunting grounds that they have played in together for years! Now he can ride back that 1500 foot path he used to walk on. He also said it will allow him to accompany his son to the bus stop on the rural road that is several hundred winding feet from their front door. A great guy surrounded by so many great friends. They were as happy as he was!
There’s still some real “love” among these public safety officers. To all of you who help me on these projects, you did GOOD! Thanks for trusting me to get it done. I am blessed.
– Jim Tignanelli, Founder of Defender Mobility