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By Andrew Levinson February 20th, 2026
MILWAUKEE - At Independence First, we believe independence should never depend on luck. It should depend on access.
That’s why our partnership with Katy’s Kloset Medical Equipment Lending Library in Waukesha is so important.
Katy’s Kloset, a service of Team Up! with Families, is a volunteer-driven nonprofit that lends durable medical equipment (DME) and supplies to thousands of individuals each year completely free of charge. Their model is simple and powerful: community members donate equipment they no longer need, volunteers clean and inspect it, and the items are placed back into the hands of people who do.
It’s reuse. It’s sustainability. And most importantly, it’s dignity.
While Katy’s Kloset specializes in lending a wide range of medical equipment, they sometimes receive items that are more complex, particularly power wheelchairs and advanced mobility devices.
These chairs may require technical troubleshooting, need new batteries or electronic components, have customized seating systems, or they might be too specialized for a general lending model. That’s where Independence First steps in.
Our Assistive Technology team, led by specialist Tim Kiley, has the expertise to evaluate, refurbish, repair, and sometimes rebuild complex power mobility equipment. If a chair won’t power on, we diagnose it. If it needs new parts, we source them. If it can’t be restored for full use, we salvage components to keep other chairs running.
Nothing goes to waste if it can help someone move.
There’s a reality many people don’t see.
The average piece of durable medical equipment may have a lifespan of five years or more but it’s often used for only a few months before being stored away. Meanwhile, someone else may be struggling with a chair that is worn down, unreliable, or nearing the end of its life.
Insurance timelines don’t always match real-world wear and tear. Individuals may be months or even years away from qualifying for a replacement, even though their current equipment is failing.
Through this partnership, we can sometimes bridge that gap.
Recently, we picked up four donated power wheelchairs from Katy’s Kloset, including a nearly new Permobil F3. For the right individual, a chair like that represents access to work, community, appointments, and daily life. It’s freedom.
This collaboration also reflects something bigger: a commitment to responsible reuse.
When equipment sits in garages or ends up in landfills, everyone loses. When it is cleaned, evaluated, repaired, and redistributed, the entire community benefits.
Together, Independence First and Katy’s Kloset are reducing medical equipment waste, extending the life of valuable mobility devices, supporting individuals who fall through insurance gaps, and strengthening community-based solutions
It’s a model built on trust and shared values.
Mobility equipment is expensive. Power wheelchairs can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Yet the need for them isn’t rare or extraordinary. It’s part of everyday life for many people with disabilities.
We believe people shouldn’t be left without options because of timelines, bureaucracy, or cost barriers.
By working together, we can make sure more equipment finds its way to the people who need it most.
If you have medical equipment you no longer need, consider donating to Katy’s Kloset. If you are looking for assistive technology guidance or mobility support, contact Independence First’s Assistive Technology team to learn how we can help.