Disabled Wheelchairs Donated To Beaches

NEPTUNE BEACH, FL -- People who use wheelchairs now have the chance to roll on out to Neptune and Atlantic Beaches.

While Amy Quincy will tell you it's hard to rumble a wheelchair across decorative bricks, she'll also point out that it is impossible to get through beach sand. Like a thousand tiny chock-blocks, the grains keep Amy and other disabled people on the First Coast far away from enjoying the beach.

Until now.

On Wednesday morning, local officials and members of the Beaches Council for the Disabled gathered on the beach at the end of Atlantic Boulevard to dedicate the first of two specially-made Beach Wheelchairs.

Amy Quincy hopped onto the chair and was pushed out onto the beach.

"This is big! Being able to come down here and do what I did before. I used to walk for miles on the beach!" said Quincy.

She used to walk until a brain hemorrhage two years ago at age 36 changed Amy Quincy's life.

"I have movement. I'm not paralyzed. But balance and coordination is really impossible!"

Impossible, like rolling a standard wheelchair out to the ocean's edge.

"You need the big wheels to make it easier," said Quincy, motioning to the 14-inch diameter balloon-like tires.

The big wheels cost over a thousand dollars each.

When the Jacksonville Beach Women's Club was asked for a $100 donation to the cause --they opened their hearts --and wallets to buy two chairs!

"It was a real surprise and we certainly appreciate what the women's club did for us!" said Disabled Council member and Mayor-elect Harriet Pruette.

Amy Quincy is also grateful.

"I would come down here every day if I could!" she grinned.

"And everybody... you know --all the citizens should be able to come down here and enjoy the beach!"