Got Crutches, Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Hospital Beds or Other Medical Equipment You Don’t Need?

One of my very first stories on November 2, 2005, was entitled,

Got Crutches, Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Hospital Beds or Other Medical Equipment You Don’t Need? The American Disabled Equipment Fund Wants Them

Since I couldn’t think of a better title, I’ve repeated most of it above.

And, maybe, now that a lot more people are reading McHenry County Blog, those with used medical equipment will give Ted Liegel a call at 815-337-2649.

An update just arrived from Liegel, The American Disabled Equipment Fund President. Call it a progress report.

Here it is:

I just wanted to drop a line. You did a cover story on my organization, The American Disabled Equipment Fund about 2 years ago. I greatly appreciate the exposure.

I am still providing medical equipment and we have a new number to reach us I just thought you might want to pass it on. It’s (815) 337-1336.

If someone needs something, they can contact Stephanie.

If you are still doing your column, I would be greatly appreciative if you could pass the news on.

We also have a new website were people can reach us. It’s www.tadef.us.

We are holding a rock concert benefit at:

Penny Road Pub on July 28th 2007, from 1 pm to 8 pm where we will be giving out vehicle hand controls to a Woodstock Resident.

Liegel even invited me to be his guest.

The Penny Road Pub is on Penny Road. If you take Old Sutton Road south from Route 62 past Route 68, you will run into Penny Road. If you reach Route 72 (West Higgins Road for Chicago types), turn around, you’ve gone too far. It is west of Route 59 in South Barrington pretty much straight east of East Dundee.

There is a $10 cover charge for the concert, which features The Draft, Leaving Normal and Dazed Child. (I wonder if “Leaving Normal” started at ISU.)

This benefit is being held to help install driving controls into an automobile for Julie Wagner of Woodstock.

I met Liegel sitting outside of Jewel collecting money for his organization. Since I hadn’t heard of it, I asked some questions and came up with the first article.

The following mission statement and history is on the group’s web site.

TADEF was established to provide much needed medical equipment to the disabled and elderly populations of Northern Illinois. It’s sole purpose is to purchase medical equipment such as: wheelchairs, hospital beds, ramps ( For homes and vehicles ) crutches, canes, walkers, and orthopedic braces, for those in need.

Founder, Ted Liegel, was born with Spina Bifida. The fund was established by the Founders, because they understand the difficulties of a lifetime – or even a month’s time – spent trying to accommodate changing medical needs, and their ever increasing expense. The Founders developed The American Disabled Equipment Fund as a not-for-profit organization with a single mission:

To Help.

“By working together we can provide independence to all those in need of medical equipment for daily mobility, “ says Mr. Liegel.

And it’s working. Since it’s inception in 2002, TADEF has provided disabled and elderly disadvantaged residents of Northern Illinois with equipment donations totaling nearly $200,000 thanks to a growing network of businesses, manufacturers, medical facilities, churches… and generous individuals such as yourself. One by one, you’ve made it possible for us to bring hope to many people, who sustained an injury or suffer from a disability.

If you would like to make a donation, it may be sent to

The American Disabled Equipment Fund
C/O: TCF Bank
145 S. Eastwood Dr.
Woodstock, IL. 60098

= = = = =
The picture is of Julie Wagner. It was obtained from the group’s web site.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *