By Dylan Besk
When SIATech South Sacramento faculty members arrived on site one morning in early October, there was an broken down wheelchair abandoned in the back parking lot.
Overhearing a faculty conversation about potentially breaking down the wheelchair into its component parts for projects got student Sid Tavera’s mental gears turning.
Unbeknownst to faculty members, Sid walked around to the back parking lot at the end of his school day, rolled the wheelchair home, and began tinkering. One of the chair’s wheels was destroyed beyond repair, but Sid rummaged around his garage and found a wheel that would work, given some creative hardware modifications. He checked and tightened hardware, ensuring sound operation. Currently, Sid is on the hunt for an armrest to complete the wheelchair’s rehabilitation.
Once the chair is complete, Sid plans to donate it to a person in need of a wheelchair. It is apparent that not only is Sid very talented, but also a visionary: one person's trashed wheelchair will become a treasure for someone in need.
For anyone out there wondering if there it kindness and compassion in the world, those qualities and more are alive and well in our SIATech classrooms and communities!
SIATech South Sacramento High School is part of a network of California charter high schools focused on helping 16-24 year old students get back in school and back on track to graduation. There is no tuition or fees to attend and students earn a fully accredited high school diploma. Learn more about your local campus at www.siatech.org/enroll.