Good Samaritans secure wheelchair for homeless woman

WILKES-BARRE — Our story about a married couple and other people living in a city homeless encampment prompted a substantial outpouring of interest and support.

Many people called the newsroom on Thursday, as well as the reporters who worked on the story, to see how they could help.

In particular, the Times Leader received numerous inquiries about providing a new wheelchair for a woman named Lydia, who has multiple sclerosis. As we reported, someone vandalized Lydia’s wheelchair.

We can report that two good Samaritans from Lackawanna County were able to address that, and are looking at ways to help Lydia and her husband, Velez, with other needs.

Mary Wilding, a caseworker in the human services field, read about Lydia and Velez on Facebook and reached out to Times Leader photojournalist Aimee Dilger, who photographed the couple for the story, to say she knew someone who might be able to help — colleague Mike Kane, who is a physical therapist.

Kane was able to secure a new wheelchair to fit Lydia, and took her old one to be repaired. He also is looking to help her obtain a motorized scooter, Wilding said.

Wilding said she and Kane met with Lydia and Velez in Wilkes-Barre, bought them a meal, and are also working with their contacts to see if they can help the couple find housing and begin rebuilding their lives.

“We’re asking, who do we know who can help them,” Wilding said.

As initially reported, the couple said they have been together for more than 20 years, but ended up on the streets last year after a series of heart attacks for Velez left them with insurmountable medical bills. Lydia has medical issues of her own, unable to walk due to her MS.

No local shelter accepts both men and women, so the couple would have to separate for the night if they decided to leave their tent. Lydia suffers from anxiety, so that is a major stress they are not willing to endure.

“She needs his assistance,” Wilding said. “They would rather sleep out in the cold than separate.”

In the meanwhile, the Times Leader has been encouraging anyone with donations of goods to reach out to local shelters who collect goods that are distributed to the homeless.

Anyone with questions can also call the news desk at 570-704-3989.

Mike Kane, left, is seen presenting a new wheelchair to Lydia and Velez, a homeless couple from Wilkes-Barre who were profiled in a Thursday Times Leader story. Lydia has multiple sclerosis and her old wheelchair was vandalized in the camp where they are staying. Kane, a physical therapist from Lackawanna County, is working with a colleague, Mary Wilding, to get the old chair repaired and see if they can assist the couple find housing and deal with other needs.

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_TTL020119homeless1.jpgMike Kane, left, is seen presenting a new wheelchair to Lydia and Velez, a homeless couple from Wilkes-Barre who were profiled in a Thursday Times Leader story. Lydia has multiple sclerosis and her old wheelchair was vandalized in the camp where they are staying. Kane, a physical therapist from Lackawanna County, is working with a colleague, Mary Wilding, to get the old chair repaired and see if they can assist the couple find housing and deal with other needs.