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Newspaper Archive of
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington
October 18, 2012     Shelton Mason County Journal
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October 18, 2012
 
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This week, The Patty Wagon owner appointment in Shelton. "This is an Patty Perry used her wheelchair-accessible vehicle to transport invaluable service," Hughes said. Journal photo by Gordon Weeks Union resident Everett Hughes to his doctor's Local woman lends name, expertise to transport business By GORDON WEEKS g~rdon@ma,voncc~y,eom Patty Perry spent 20 years driving and directing disabled and ambulatory persons to their destina- tions for agencies, so when she decided to start her own business, she combined her passions, exper- tise and name. The Shelton native this summer launched The Patty Wagon, a family-rtm venture that transports passengers with disabilities and ambulatory needs to stores, the airport, social gatherings, medical appointments and other locations. Transportation in the wheelchair-accessible vehicle is available around the clock by calling 427-0202. Joining Perry in transporting passengers are her children, Tracy, Jeff and Lisa. "This was always my dream," Perry said. Perry worked for People Mover in Anchorage, Alaska, educating disabled and ambulatory indi- viduals on how to take advantages of buses. She was a driver for Mason Transit for 10 years and served as a mobility coordinator/travel trainer, finding holes in services offered for disabled cus- tomers. She's also worked with senior agencies to group patients together to go to medical appoint- ments. While working for Mason Transit, Perry drove an elderly, visually-impaired woman who wanted to hear descriptions of the passing scenery in her native Shelton. "I told her what was there now," she said. "It meant so much to her. It's those little things that make you feel so good." Another regular customer was an elderly wom- an confined most of the time inside a Lilliwaup re- tirement home, who wanted to see the trees. At a transportation conference back east, Perry spotted a vehicle with an Americans with Disabili- ties Act-approved wheelchair ramp and purchased it. "My dad rode in it, and he absolutely loved it," she said. Perry's father passed away this spring, and she attained her business license in July. "My kids said, 'Mom, you've been talking about this for years,'" she said. The name of the business was born from the re- action of friends when they heard about the ven- ture: "Oh, you're going to have the Patty wagon." Perry's first customers were a couple who crashed their motorcycle celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and needed wheelchair- accessible transportation from Mason General Hospital to the airport. A visually-impaired couple with service animals are regular customers. '~We go door to door, work one-on-one with their needs ... I will go in and help them shop," Perry said. On Tuesday, Perry was transporting Union resi- dent Everett Hughes from his home to his Shelton doctor's appointment and then back home. Hughes is wheelchair-bound after he fell and broke his kneecap. Hughes i~eard about The Patty Wagon from Ma- son Transit after Dial-A-Ride couldn't accommo- date him for an afternoon appointment. "She's there when you call her," he said. "You don't have to work with another organization's schedule .;. I can get her when I need her, not when her schedule works." All the drivers are trained and fully certified. The rates for a trip of seven miles or less is $3.50 per mile, for more than seven miles is $2.50 per mile. The waiting time charge is $10 for every 15 minutes. There are no charges for baggage or ad- ditional passengers, and no changes in rates for sercice between midnight and 6 a.m. Perry said she seeks ways for passengers to fi- nance their trips through their insurance compa- hies or other agencies. "At the end of the day, I feel very fulfilled," she said. "It's helping people." Shelton-Mason County Journal - Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012 - Page B-3