EDMONDS — Bill Brayer began experiencing symptoms of multiple sclerosis 57 years ago. His illness meant that the Edmonds man was given a medical discharge from the United States Navy in 1954.
It wasn’t until 1987, however, that Brayer, now 76, was officially diagnosed with the condition, in which the immune system attacks the sheath that covers the nerves, sometimes leaving patients unable to walk or speak.
During the 1990s, Brayer began to feel as though there wasn’t enough help for people suffering with MS. He decided to form a group: Multiple Sclerosis Helping Hands, a nonprofit organization that helps to support those with MS through services such as a support group and financial aid when available.
“It started out when I wanted to do more for people with MS,” Brayer said.
When a member of the support group died and her parents approached Brayer to ask if he could find someone who could benefit from their daughter’s medical equipment, he decided to open the Donor Closet, an all-volunteer program that recycles durable medical equipment.
“I took all her equipment and put it in my garage,” Brayer said.
Brayer sent out an e-mail and within two to three hours he had responses from people who were interested in taking it off his hands. He thought the program wouldn’t last very long. That was nine years ago.
Brayer soon had enough donations of used medical equipment that he outgrew a storage facility that housed the goods.
The Donor Closet is now located in a 7,500-square foot space and has an office.
“It has turned into quite a nonprofit business operation,” Brayer said.
Tana Knowlton of Shoreline has used the Donor Closet more than once to find much-needed equipment that is generally expensive to buy new.
“It’s a good program,” Knowlton said, “especially when you come to the end of what insurance will do for you.”
Her insurance company was working on getting her an electric wheelchair. She’s been waiting since September.
Knowlton, who was diagnosed with MS in 2004, won a power scooter in a drawing on a recent visit to the Donor Closet. Another drawing will be held on Saturday. The prize will be a scooter or a wheelchair.
As well as the scooter, Knowlton has found at the Donor Closet a four-legged cane and other medical items that help her to function with her disease.
“I was an athlete and played basketball and baseball,” Knowlton said.
She can’t walk without limping and constantly trips. She has fallen many times.
“Frustrated is the one word I’d use to wrap it all up,” Knowlton said.
The Donor Closet helps those not only with MS but with other debilitating diseases. Brayer and his 47 volunteers pick up medical equipment from those who can’t deliver it to the Donor Closet. Brayer has recycled 70,000 items since the Donor Closet began in 1999.
“We pick up all over the state,” Brayer said.
The volunteers use a van to pick up goods, which was purchased through a $47,000 grant from the Boeing Employees Community Fund. The goods are then taken to Edmonds, where they are cleaned and refurbished.
“In other words: If I would give it to my wife or grandmother,” Brayer said, “we’ll put it on the floor.”
Help the cause
Durable medical equipment including walkers, trays and beds, and mobility equipment that can be recycled for use can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday at The MSHH Donor Closet, 409 Howell Way, Edmonds. A drawing for a recycled electric wheelchair or scooter is scheduled for Saturday at The Donor Closet. Call 425-712-1807.
For more information on MSHH events including the May 30 Celebrity Bowling Event, go to www.mshelp.org.
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