Houston VA helps Veteran receive Wheelchair Accessible Van
In 2022, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, rapidly progressed within Navy Veteran Thomas Bily, who served for 28 years on active duty as a pilot.
Around the start of the new year, Bily was no longer able to stand on his own without the help of a chair lift and the help of others. The effects of the disease also made getting to his medical appointments especially difficult.
Recently non-profits Semper Fi Fund and Help our Military Heroes graciously stepped in to the cover the cost of a wheelchair-accessible van for Bily, making it easier for him to get to the VA for his appointments.
“I am thankful every day for this van because it gives me the freedom to move around and helps me and my family to get through our days just a little bit easier,” said Bily.
While Semper Fi Fund and Help our Military Heroes no doubt deserve the lion share of the thanks for the van, Bily wanted to thank Brian Mastin, a Houston VA kinesiotherapist, who helped him apply for the grant .
“The VA supported me on this path to help me apply for this grant,” said Bily. “Mr. Brian Mastin shepherded the paperwork through the system in lightning speed and got me in touch with Semper Fi Fund and Help our Military Heroes who together covered all expenses. I am eternally grateful to each and every one who made this possible.”
Mastin, a Veteran himself, said it’s an honor to help improve a Veteran’s quality of life.
“I treat all patients the way I would want my dad to be treated,” he said. “It is such an honor to help patients and families learn to drive again or to help with easing the burden of transportation after unexpected events in life.”