CEDAR RAPIDS – Millions of people all over the nation have disabilities that prevent them from walking, living alone or doing even the most simple task.
Over the years, high tech wheelchairs and other devices have made life easier. But, people with disabilities have still struggled with something many take for granted.
Most of us don’t even think about the effort it takes to get out of your car and pump gas. When your tank gets empty, you pull in to the nearest station and fill up. Until now, people with disabilities had a much different experience.
Mitchell Swanson’s life changed forever after he broke his neck in 1998 and became a quadriplegic. A high-tech wheelchair, combined with a special van, have opened doors for him.
But, getting gas left him feeling empty.
“You have to make a plan about how you’re going to communicate with the people inside that I’m outside and wanting gas,” Swanson said.
Honking his horn didn’t usually work and he didn’t feel comfortable flagging down a stranger and handing over his credit card.
“It’s the simplest of tasks that needs to be done and we can’t do it,” Swanson said.
Then, he discovered a system called “Fuel Call.”
People with disabilities and those who are elderly just press a button, a buzzer rings inside and an employee marches out to pump the gas.
Right now, all four Cedar Rapids area “Guppy’s on the Go” stations feature the service. The company’s even considering developing menus to bring to customers like Swanson, too.
“So they can still access some of the items in the store and get their gas pumped,” Adam Smith, Guppy’s on the Go Supervisor.
The system has taken away all the stress of stopping for gas.
“You feel good when you’re here and they treat you right,” Swanson said.
With this obstacle out of the way, Swanson says he feels even more independent than ever before.
Guppy’s on the Go’s “Fuel Call” system has been in place for several weeks.
So far, only a handful of people have used it, but the company expects to see that increase as people learn about it.
Guppy’s on the Go is not the only place with the call system in place. The HyVee Gas Station in Marion also has it. In addition on Thursday’s they will pump gas for anyone. While not living with anything as serious as Mr. Swanson, I now live with a disability that limits my activity. I have found there are places more accommodating than others, and not just about pumping gas.