Filling the Gaps for Wheelchair Repair in Rural Manitoba
One Volunteer’s Story of Dedication to Inclusion and Accessibility
A person using a wheelchair in a hallway with brick walls. The wheelchair is blurred slightly from movement. Photo by Marcus Aurelius
Wheelchairs are essential mobility for many Manitobans. But what happens when that expensive, sometimes custom wheelchair breaks down? What happens if you need wheelchair repair in rural Manitoba?
For over thirty years, Manitoba Possible has provided children and adults in Manitoba with essential mobility through the loan of manual and motorized wheelchairs. Wheelchair technicians visit client'’ homes to assist with repairs, but the demand for these services has exploded, especially in rural Manitoba, where there is a lack of wheelchair repair centres.
A graphic with a portrait of Erich. Text reads: 2022 Easter Seals National Volunteer Award Recipient. Erich Stumme. Manitoba. “Erich’s volunteer involvement with Manitoba Possible/Easter Seals Manitoba started with a favour - he was asked if he could repair the brakes on a wheelchair - and quickly and capably did so. More requests for assistance came following this, and Erich responded to each of them.”
Erich Stumme has been volunteering with Manitoba Possible for eight years providing wheelchair repair services for people in the Westman region of Manitoba. He travels to Manitoba Wheelchair Program clients wherever they may be, whether that is their home, a personal care home, or a hospital. He was referred to his volunteer position by his wife Cindy, the recently retired former Program Manager of Rural Services with Manitoba Possible for many years.
“It started as a favour,” Erich shares, “I was asked if I could change a brake on a manual wheelchair. That was my first client, and a while later I was asked again for a little favour. So, the time between favours got shorter and shorter and shorter.” As Erich carried out these first few repairs, he began to realize the need for this service in the Westman region.
“The first time, when one of my clients said, ‘you do not have any idea how helpful your work is for us and how much we appreciate it - it was a memorable moment for me.” Erich began to dedicate more of his time to this crucial role. Through his expertise, he can assess the wheelchairs and make repairs on the spot. It is impressive dedication from someone whose mechanical repair knowledge began and ended with fixing a bicycle.
“I didn’t have any idea. I’m not a mechanic, but after I started doing these little favours, the managers in Winnipeg invited me for two training sessions of about a week, and there the technicians really gave me good advice. I learned a lot in those two weeks. At least the simple repairs in the beginning.”
Most of the repairs Erich makes are on-site, ensuring wheelchair users don't have to lose their mobility and independence. This entails travel across the 12,000 square miles that make up the Westman region.
The most rewarding part of volunteering for Erich is the personal relationships he has built with people who started as clients but became friends.
“Many times, the talk during and after the repair seems more important to my clients than the repair itself. In Germany, I had an older lady as a neighbour. From time to time, she came over and talked about everything that moved her. After she finished, she would say “now my heavy garbage container is empty, and I feel lighter.’ And that happens here too. It’s a good feeling to know that people trust me in many ways and get to feel their “garbage container” is empty when I leave, along with a repaired wheelchair.”
Without Erich’s efforts, many individuals in Westman would be left with limited mobility for days if their wheelchair was sent to Winnipeg for repairs. His volunteer role sometimes has him responding to urgent last-minute calls from someone experiencing a wheelchair breakdown, sometimes stranded in an outdoor environment.
“When I do not know how to find a fault or repair a certain part, I call one of the technicians in Winnipeg and ask for advice. They are always supportive and helpful.” And he enlists the community for help when he is stuck too.
“It has happened a few times, when I went to change a motor that I could not remove the wheel hub. I went to a mechanic and asked them to help me. They did it free of charge.”
When he is not fixing wheelchairs, Erich takes inspiration from nature to build landscapes for his model trains and railways or spends time volunteering at one of his other commitments, at the Westman Immigrant Services or the Royal Canadian Legion.
“There is a high demand for volunteers and at the same time the amount of people volunteering is going steadily down. Without volunteers, it might get expensive for society to keep these essential services running.”
Manitoba Possible cannot thank Erich enough for his dedication and contribution to providing mobility services in rural Manitoba.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Facts & Figures:
There are approximately 2000 clients using power wheelchairs in Manitoba
Manitoba Possible has approximately 11,000 manual wheelchairs in Manitoba
Volunteers are an essential part of Manitoba Possible. Learn how you can get involved.