The SCOOTER Store Donates Power Wheelchair to Texas Teenager With Rare Genetic...( Gift of Mobility Brings 'Whole New Li...),Health

Gift of Mobility Brings 'Whole New Life' to Disabled Teenager and His Family

DENTON, Texas, Dec. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --For the first time in his 13 years, Dustin Monk will have reason to smile this Christmas. Thanks to a new power wheelchair from The SCOOTER Store (www.thescooterstore.com), Dustin will finally have the mobility and independence most people take for granted.

Today, just weeks after Dustin's father, Danny Monk, contacted The SCOOTER Store, Mobility Manager Jay Walker, of the Dallas distribution center, presented a power wheelchair to Dustin as part of their "Gift of Mobility" program. The program provides mobility equipment and assistance to those who do not have the resources or insurance coverage to purchase power wheelchairs and scooters.

Mr. Monk says that until now, "Dustin has never had a real Christmas." Choking back tears, Mr. Monk relates details about Dustin's devastating illnesses and the chaos it has created for the family. Mr. Monk, who by himself supports Dustin and his brother, has been unable to work due to the demands of caring for Dustin.

Dustin was born with Treacher Collins, Gold Harth and Gold Ring syndromes (rare genetic disorders characterized by craniofacialdeformities and fast growing bones), and doctors recently found a brain tumor. He has to continually have his face reconstructed so that he can breathe and eat, and he sleeps on a breathing machine at night. His mobility is impacted by his abnormal bone structure and unstable oxygen levels. He spends much of the school day lying on a cot in the nurse's office.

When Dustin was small, his father pushed him everywhere in a jogger stroller. Now too old and big to be
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