OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Recovering from an injury or surgery can be difficult, and it’s more difficult for those who can’t afford mobility aids.

Community members who have a short-term need for a shower seat, a walker, or other such equipment can call Dennis or Mary Beth Robillard.

The Old Orchard Beach couple, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Saco Bay Sunset, have set up a medical equipment loan closet in a storage unit on their property. Items that can be borrowed include crutches, wheelchairs, canes, portable commodes and knee walkers.

Use of the items is free. There are no time restrictions on lending, but items must be returned when no longer needed. For information on borrowing items, call Mary Beth at 468-6454 or Dennis at 468-0443.

Items can be picked up, or delivery can be scheduled.

“If people can pick it up, great. If not, we’ll get it to you one way or another,” said Dennis.

Mary Beth said she learned first hand after recovering from surgery a few years ago that the right piece of mobility equipment can make a huge difference in quality of life, whether it be a chair and shower grips that allow you to shower independently, or a long arm grabber tool that allows you to grab items that have become out of reach.

The local effort stemmed from a more global effort. For about eight years, Dennis has led the Rotary Club District 7780 effort to collect mobility aids to Crutches 4 Africa. A number of local Rotary Clubs have participated in collecting items for the effort, and there have been donations from community organizations as well. Mary Beth said there have been a few times over the years when she has come home to find a bunch of donated crutches that have been dropped off.

Over the years, countless crutches, walkers and canes have been collected, packed up and sent overseas for use by polio survivors and others who are disabled.

Dennis secured use of a warehouse in Biddeford to store items as the supply continues to grow to include items like shower seats and medical beds that are not sent overseas through Crutches 4 Africa.

Dennis and his wife have discovered that there are many people who have medical equipment in their homes that have long been unused. Some may have a pair of crutches they used for a few months following an injury, others may have a shower chair that was used by an elderly relative that no longer lives with them.

“People have these things in their attics or garages and they don’t know what to do with them,” said Dennis. Now there is a place for them.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.