On a picturesque day at Lime Hollow, multiple officials from throughout the county joined JM Murray and the Lime Hollow Nature Center for the announcement of JM Murray donating an all-terrain Action Trackchair to Lime Hollow.
With the donation, Lime Hollow is now the second nature center in the state to offer the Action Trackchair, which is a battery powered, all-terrain “wheelchair” that is built to make trails accessible for those with mobility issues.
The idea for the chair was credited to Molly Lane, who heads JM Murrays marketing and social media, posted information on the chair on a social media posting. That posting lead to JM Murray President and CEO, Ernest Dodge, wanting more information about the chair.
“I see that chair and said well you (Molly) got to get more information on that chair. We watched a video of it and now we need to find out how much that costs and we contacted Outdoor Accessibility.” Dodge said to the crowd.
The company, Outdoor Accessibility, is an authorized dealer for the Action Trackchair in Rochester NY by Ann Marie and Patrick Reitano. The Reitano’s dedicate their time to travel throughout the state to help those with mobility issues experience nature without restrictions.
“We have a son who has muscle dystrophy and I hunt on state land and he was in his actual electric wheelchair, fell off because electric wheelchairs don’t go through the terrain that we go through. [He] broke his femur.” Patrick Reitano said to X101.
Patrick continued on saying that when their Action Trackchair was in the process of being delivered to them, the person handling the sales and service of the chair in New York State, had suffered a massive stroke. Overwhelmed, both Ann Marie and Patrick agreed they had to get this product out there and set up their company in 2016. Their work traveling the state is a part-time job for them, both work other full time jobs. Patrick also noted they do not charge anyone for a demonstration of the product.
Executive Director of Lime Hollow Nature Center, Ilya Shmulenson, spoke of how proud he was to see so many organizations and officials from the county come and see this important day for the nature center.
“Now you have access to families [that can] come out here and take a walk together, an elderly couple can come out here and take a walk together. Grandparents, children and great-grandchildren can come out.” Shmulenson said of the almost endless opportunities now.
He continued on regarding his continuing effort on learning more and more about Lime Hollow as Executive Director, he spoke of how he came upon a quote from Charlie Yaple of his vision:
“Envision Lime Hollow as a place that ALL can wonder, wonder, play, and learn.” Shmulenson said to the crowd.
This day came to be an emotional and personal one as well for him as Ilya spoke of his aging parents, and a nephew who is in a motorized wheelchair. When the day came when JM Murray mentioned the donation of the chair, he took the initiative to make sure it would happen.
Funds to purchase the chair were largely raised by an annual golf tournament JM Murray hosts at the Cortland Country Club. Lime Hollow will only be required now for the general maintenance of the chair.
Those who now wish to use the chair can reserve it through Lime Hollow’s website. The chair has a 4 to 6 hour battery and includes lights, adjustable positions, controls for both the occupant and aid, and large treads instead of wheels.
Helping Lime Hollow with the new program as a sponsor is Guthrie. Representatives from Guthrie said they were honored to be a part of this.
Ernie Dodge also informed the crowd that JM Murray is committed to giving away a chair each year during their golf tournament and is challenging other providers in other counties in the state to purchase a chair.
“If we can do it in Cortland [County] they can do it in their counties.” Dodge said.
More information on the Action Trackchair may be found on their website, including company’s story on how this chair came to life. The chair is made completely in the USA.
