EDITOR:
On May 3, I was involved in a freak accident in the drive-through at the South Carson McDonald's. My hand got caught between a button and a seatbelt, causing my power wheelchair to rise until I was pushed against the roof and could go no further.
The seatbelt was so tight I was blacking out. My wheelchair was so lodged into the van nothing would release, not even the seatbelt.
My mom was with me, and after trying to release me, she jumped out and called for help. A couple gentlemen came running. After trying to release the seatbelt so I could breathe, with no success, one of the gentlemen said he had a knife and could cut the seatbelt. We told him to do it. When he cut the seatbelt, it was a huge relief. I could finally breathe again. But I was still smashed against the roof. They couldn't lower my wheelchair. They started taking the wheelchair apart to lower it. Others had joined, including a McDonald's employee.
Someone called 911 and when they arrived they put shims in my chair so it wouldn't fall and hurt anyone once the elevation cylinder was removed. After much banging, using wrenches, and anything else they could find, they managed to dismantle and lower my wheelchair to a standard height.
I came out of the accident with a few good bruises, a black thumb nail, a sore neck and ankle ... and a $385 bill to replace a seatbelt. It was a small price for a breath of air. My wheelchair needed a couple fuses and a bolt to work again. But, we have a problem. There's a large bolt we can't find a spot for.
I'd like to thank the gentlemen who helped us " all I know about them is one was an off-duty officer from Douglas County, and one was a McDonald's employee. I have no idea who the others were. But you were appreciated very much. Thank You.
And, of course, I'd like to thank Carson City 911. They were great, as always. Thank you.
Thank you all so very much.
Candy Roper
Carson City
