Bartlesville Veteran Receives New Feeling Of Independence With A New Scooter

A Bartlesville man is getting a renewed outlook on life and kindness with the help of an electric mobility scooter.

The wheelchair was donated by Soldier's Wish, an organization that helps meet the needs of current military members and veterans.

Before he received the scooter, Casey Pate couldn’t leave his home for Christmas. Now, he's making sure he keeps it charged for all the traveling he has planned. Pate took a stroll through the neighborhood on his brand new electric mobility scooter with News On 6’s Lex Rodriguez.

“They’ve been working on that bridge for a long time, and I always heard them but wasn’t able to see it,” Pate said.

Pate, an Air Force veteran, says for as long as he can remember, being this mobile was only wishful thinking.

“It's been a while. I can walk for about 15-20 feet, and I get out of breath,” Pate said.

He says asking for help was, in a way, harder than dealing with being confined to the space between his front door and the end of the driveway.

“Everybody thanks you for your service, and it’s hard to sit there and ask for help because everybody assumes you’re getting the help, but you’re not,” Pate said.

The chance for Pate to enjoy life beyond the curb was restored with the help of Soldier's Wish, which says it fills in the unmet needs of military members, veterans, and their families.

Broken Arrow Mayor Debra Wimpee is the organization’s Executive Director. She says oftentimes, it’s others who nominate veterans for help.

Pate says Soldier's Wish didn't just give him a scooter; it gave him the chance to walk his dogs and have adventures with his grandkids.

"I've got two, Ava and London. And they are another reason for this. Cause I can go now to Branson instead of sitting here,” Pate said.

Pate says he is looking forward to taking his wife to dinner on her birthday next week and to Vegas in February for their 30th anniversary.