New scooter brings a smile

An Omaha resident who lost his motorized scooter when it was taken from his front yard is back in the saddle again.

An anonymous donor from Fremont, Neb., on Tuesday gave Earl Green a Rascal scooter that had seen very limited use.

Green, 52, suffers from a severe breathing disorder, sometimes needs oxygen and isn’t physically able to drive a car. His only mode of transportation was the scooter he had for 18 months.

He used the scooter to drive to stores near his home at 14th and Binney Streets, until it was stolen earlier this month.

The World-Herald published a story Tuesday about the theft, and several readers called the newspaper with offers to help.

At least six readers offered to donate “gently used” scooters to Green and several more asked if a fund for monetary donations had been set up.

The anonymous donor from Fremont was the first to call. He said the scooter was intended to help a relative but ended up being driven “less than 100 feet.”

The replacement scooter was delivered to Green through Goodfellows, The World-Herald’s charity.

“Words can’t explain how I feel right now because I am as happy as I can be,” Green said.

Green met the Goodfellows helpers on his front porch and gingerly loaded his portable oxygen tank onto the scooter.

After a minute or two reviewing the controls, he took the scooter around his yard twice and shot out the front gate with a big smile on his face. His first destination was a neighbor’s home and then on into the Chubb Food Store at 16th and Locust Streets.

“I went and got a few things for myself that I really needed,” he said. “I also got some of my favorite cookies and those little wafer crackers. It was a beautiful ride.”

Contact the writer:

444-1272, kevin.cole@owh.com