Bill Workman can tell you all about life with limitations. For several years, Bill used liquid oxygen and always had to plan his life in increments of 8 hours, since that's how long a bottle would last him. It's tough to live like that, and it doesn't always work out. Last year at a family Christmas party, Bill didn't time it right and after 8 hours ran out of oxygen and almost wound up in the emergency room. So after learning about Open-Aire, Bill called to see if a portable oxygen concentrator would be right for him.
Once Bill had his initial call with Open-Aire he wanted to have his doctor involved. Qualifying for portable oxygen is not a difficult process, but the right doctor can make it a breeze. Midway through his tests with his doctor, who he says is the best in West Viriginia, Bill's heart rate started to elevate and they had to stop. However, his doctor had seen enough and she was confident that a portable oxygen concentrator would not only meet his oxygen needs, but it would help keep him mobile and allow him to become more active.
While Bill rested his doctor was on the move. "Before I even left the exam room she faxed off my test results to my Open-Aire case manager" said Bill. As soon as he got home, he was back on the phone with Open-Aire to complete his order, and less than 2 weeks later had his new portable oxygen concentrator. Now Bill is never without oxygen, and thanks to his doctor he didn't have to wait an extra minute to get his equipment.
Read stories from our customers who have had their lives changed by portable oxygen concentrators and power mobility equipment.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Paper or Plastic?
Very often in this blog we profile people who use their portable oxygen concentrators to go on vacations or take long trips, but it's important to remember that this equipment helps people achieve the little things that they could not do while on oxygen. Marion Gibbs of Chester, VA is a great reminder of that. Marion has been an oxygen patient for several years, and while on traditional equipment she was literally tethered to her home. "I was hooked up to a 50 foot cord and I couldn't even go to the mailbox or my clothes line."
With her new portable oxygen concentrator, she's free to get the mail and do laundry. But her biggest acheivement so far has been going to the grocery store. It had been 4 years since Marian had last been to the grocery store, since being on oxygen made it so difficult to leave the house. Once she got there, she stayed for 3 hours! "My husband was getting a little mad. He was leaning against the freezer with his hands on his hips, waiting for me to be ready to leave. As soon as we got home though we had a good laugh about it."
What's next for Marian? She's looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of her car again. "It's been 5 years since I last drove, but the car is paid off and my insurance is up to date. I want to get back in the swing of things and do for myself again." A few months from now we'll touch base with Marian again and see just how far she goes once she's got her keys in her hands again.
With her new portable oxygen concentrator, she's free to get the mail and do laundry. But her biggest acheivement so far has been going to the grocery store. It had been 4 years since Marian had last been to the grocery store, since being on oxygen made it so difficult to leave the house. Once she got there, she stayed for 3 hours! "My husband was getting a little mad. He was leaning against the freezer with his hands on his hips, waiting for me to be ready to leave. As soon as we got home though we had a good laugh about it."
What's next for Marian? She's looking forward to getting back behind the wheel of her car again. "It's been 5 years since I last drove, but the car is paid off and my insurance is up to date. I want to get back in the swing of things and do for myself again." A few months from now we'll touch base with Marian again and see just how far she goes once she's got her keys in her hands again.
Monday, January 23, 2012
The Grass Is Greener In Paul's Yard
Mr. Paul Gibson of Newport News, VA has been with Open-Aire for over three and a half years. In that time, Paul’s life has absolutely been enhanced by his portable oxygen concentrator. "It's really nice. It beats dragging those old tanks around. I recommend it to everyone I see." No longer homebound, Paul is able to take trips to Maryland to see his close friends and plug his oxygen concentrator right into his car’s cigarette lighter. He's been able to continue to do his own chores and not be tied to a heavy tank. Even just sitting at home and watching TV with his Westie is more enjoyable, now that he doesn't need to keep an eye out for how much oxygen he has left in his tank.
Most of the time though, Paul uses it while he's working outside. Neighbors who drive by often see Paul toiling away in his yard - mowing the lawn, taking care of flowers, raking leaves, and most recently digging a trench to install a new electrical line all while carrying his portable oxygen concentrator. It’s a lot of work putting all that care into his yard, but he doesn’t mind. Paul’s motto is "once you quit, you quit" and his portable oxygen concentrator from Open-Aire is helping to make sure he won't be quitting anytime soon.
Most of the time though, Paul uses it while he's working outside. Neighbors who drive by often see Paul toiling away in his yard - mowing the lawn, taking care of flowers, raking leaves, and most recently digging a trench to install a new electrical line all while carrying his portable oxygen concentrator. It’s a lot of work putting all that care into his yard, but he doesn’t mind. Paul’s motto is "once you quit, you quit" and his portable oxygen concentrator from Open-Aire is helping to make sure he won't be quitting anytime soon.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Jeanne’s Class Reunion
Recently we received a letter from an Open-Aire customer, Ms. Jeanne Murphy. We liked Jeanne’s story so much that we asked her if we could share it with everyone on our blog. She happily agreed, and without further adieu here is her story:
This past winter I learned that my class reunion was being held at the end of May. It was a big one. Number 60! And I had not been able to go for about 25 years. I graduated from Emporia High in Kansas and now live in Michigan. Quite a distance from here to there. I knew that to go back it would mean making arrangements for many oxygen tanks, and I dreaded the thought. I had decided not to make the trip because of the hassle, and then I saw an ad on TV for a new (to me) oxygen system that looked like it might be an answer to my prayer. I called and talked to a representative who took the time to explain what it was about and what I needed to do. It was such a simple process – fax a script from the doctor and the machine would be sent to me. I thank God every day for this equipment. I was able to attend my reunion and make contacts with old friends. My daughter drove me and we were gone a week. I had absolutely no problems at all with the portable system.
A footnote to all of this is that I had gone to church several months earlier for a prayer healing. Although my lungs were not healed, God did the next best thing and provided me with an oxygen system that makes my life so much better. Thank you Open-Aire and God.
-Jeanne Murphy-
This past winter I learned that my class reunion was being held at the end of May. It was a big one. Number 60! And I had not been able to go for about 25 years. I graduated from Emporia High in Kansas and now live in Michigan. Quite a distance from here to there. I knew that to go back it would mean making arrangements for many oxygen tanks, and I dreaded the thought. I had decided not to make the trip because of the hassle, and then I saw an ad on TV for a new (to me) oxygen system that looked like it might be an answer to my prayer. I called and talked to a representative who took the time to explain what it was about and what I needed to do. It was such a simple process – fax a script from the doctor and the machine would be sent to me. I thank God every day for this equipment. I was able to attend my reunion and make contacts with old friends. My daughter drove me and we were gone a week. I had absolutely no problems at all with the portable system.
A footnote to all of this is that I had gone to church several months earlier for a prayer healing. Although my lungs were not healed, God did the next best thing and provided me with an oxygen system that makes my life so much better. Thank you Open-Aire and God.
-Jeanne Murphy-
Friday, November 4, 2011
Jumping Into Action
Melinda Rosebery of Tonkawa, Oklahoma has been an oxygen patient for 15 years. Over the years she got tired of living her life tethered to an oxygen bottle and all the hassles that came along with it. But a year ago she switched to an EverGo/EverFlo bundle to solve her portable and at-home needs. Now she was finally able to travel all over Oklahoma. She just picks up her portable oxygen concentrator, plugs it in, and enjoys the ride.
A few weeks ago Melinda had a problem though. A beeping noise started going off on her concentrator, indicating a problem with the unit. It seemed to be working properly, but clearly something was wrong so she picked up her phone and called Open-Aire‘s customer service team for troubleshooting. After the problem was identified, Open-Aire specialists realized she needed a new oxygen concentrator and jumped into action. Melinda wasn’t worried though, “I had my equipment there the next day. That makes me feel so very comfortable.” Just like that, Melinda had her new oxygen concentrator and she never missed a step. Just as importantly, Melinda learned exactly how fast Open-Aire’s customer service works, and knows that it’s one less thing to worry about regarding her oxygen.
A few weeks ago Melinda had a problem though. A beeping noise started going off on her concentrator, indicating a problem with the unit. It seemed to be working properly, but clearly something was wrong so she picked up her phone and called Open-Aire‘s customer service team for troubleshooting. After the problem was identified, Open-Aire specialists realized she needed a new oxygen concentrator and jumped into action. Melinda wasn’t worried though, “I had my equipment there the next day. That makes me feel so very comfortable.” Just like that, Melinda had her new oxygen concentrator and she never missed a step. Just as importantly, Melinda learned exactly how fast Open-Aire’s customer service works, and knows that it’s one less thing to worry about regarding her oxygen.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
No More Worries
Sandra White of Golden Valley, Arizona has had her portable oxygen concentrator from Open-Aire for just a couple months, but she’s already seen just how big of a change it has made in her life. It’s been less expensive than the bottles she had to get from her old oxygen provider. She’s able to travel and is getting ready for a trip to California in the near future. But the best part is just being able to pick up and go as she pleases.
Sandra's life is now decided by her, and not by how much oxygen she needs. For instance, just a few days ago she visited a friend who lives across town. Instead of heading back home once it got dark, she decided she wanted to stay over. With her bottles she would have had to plan it out in advance so that she'd have enough oxygen, but that’s not the case now. "My portable worked as my stationary machine so I could spend the night," explains Sandra. In fact, when talking about her portable oxygen concentrator with her friends at the VFW and American Legion she has a saying, "there’s no more worrying about how long you can be can be gone."
Sandra's life is now decided by her, and not by how much oxygen she needs. For instance, just a few days ago she visited a friend who lives across town. Instead of heading back home once it got dark, she decided she wanted to stay over. With her bottles she would have had to plan it out in advance so that she'd have enough oxygen, but that’s not the case now. "My portable worked as my stationary machine so I could spend the night," explains Sandra. In fact, when talking about her portable oxygen concentrator with her friends at the VFW and American Legion she has a saying, "there’s no more worrying about how long you can be can be gone."
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Leroy's Life Got A Lot Less Crowded
As a long-time Florida resident, Leroy Rammers was accustomed to traveling. Between working with campgrounds in Inverness, FL and taking an annual trip to Disney World with his wife around Christmas time Leroy was no stranger to getting around. Once he was on oxygen however, things had to change. Now he had to schedule oxygen deliveries and learn how to store his supplies of oxygen. When getting a month’s supply he would be given as many as 40 bottles! It seemed like enough oxygen for a small army. More importantly travel became difficult. Any kind of extended travel would require 10 of his large bottles which took up so much room.
An EverGo portable oxygen concentrator from Open-Aire changed all of that though. Leroy doesn’t worry about having to store all that oxygen, and doesn’t worry about the electricity going out. His EverGo plugs in wherever he needs it. And he’s been getting a lot of attention with it too. "Everyone who sees it wants to know what it is and where it’s from," and he’s happy to let them know all about Open-Aire and their portable oxygen concentrators.
An EverGo portable oxygen concentrator from Open-Aire changed all of that though. Leroy doesn’t worry about having to store all that oxygen, and doesn’t worry about the electricity going out. His EverGo plugs in wherever he needs it. And he’s been getting a lot of attention with it too. "Everyone who sees it wants to know what it is and where it’s from," and he’s happy to let them know all about Open-Aire and their portable oxygen concentrators.
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