Birmingham VA’s Pop Up Pit Stop provides wheelchair repair services

The work being done by Birmingham VA’s “Pop Up Pit Stop” exemplifies this year’s theme of National Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service Week: Making the Impossible Possible.

Birmingham VA Clinic is significantly impacting the lives of Veterans who rely on wheelchairs and scooters for mobility. The Pop Up Pit Stop, hosted on the second Tuesday of every month, is a beacon of hope for those needing quick wheelchair repairs, and it’s changing lives in Alabama.

Kevin Wesson, a dedicated wheelchair technician for Birmingham VA, noted that while the VA has offered repair services for some time, few were aware of this invaluable resource. The “Pop Up Pit Stop” has become a platform to raise awareness about these services and extend a helping hand to Veterans in the clinic’s community.

Wesson shared his perspective, saying, “It’s more about letting Veterans know we are out here and we are available to come out to their house or to help them take care of their equipment while they’re busy trying to take care of their lives.”

It’s about restoring hope, mobility and independence for Veterans

The services provided at the “Pop Up Pit Stop” range from quick fixes such as changing batteries and fixing arm pads to more comprehensive repairs. Anything that can’t be resolved on the spot is scheduled for a later date. Wesson and his dedicated team ensure that Veterans receive the support they need no matter the issue’s complexity. They order the necessary parts and visit the Veterans in their homes to complete the repairs.

This initiative is particularly impactful because it recognizes many Veterans’ mobility challenges. As Wesson puts it, “These guys have mobility issues. That’s why they have a mobility device. For them to get to a vendor—especially if the vendors are an hour away, which is fairly common, for many of these guys to get there with their equipment—it’s pretty difficult.”

The “Pop Up Pit Stop” is a lifeline for Veterans in Birmingham. As of Sept. 12, the positive news is that their story has reached a wider audience.

The “Pop Up Pit Stop” is not just about repairing wheelchairs. It’s about restoring hope, mobility and independence for our Veterans. It’s an initiative that reminds us of the profound impact we can have on the lives of those we serve.

National Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service Week is Oct. 30 to Nov. 3. Let’s continue celebrating and supporting programs like these that make a real difference for our nation’s heroes.