TAMPA, FL--(Marketwired - Feb 23, 2015) - Ride-Away®, a company that conducts sales of wheelchair accessible vans, parts, service and rental operations and subsidiary of HASCO Medical, Inc. (OTCQB: HASC), along with the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), and BraunAbility presented a wheelchair accessible van on ABC news to Antonio Dowels of Tampa, Florida on Monday, February 16, 2015. Over 18 million people in the U.S. and Canada have mobility issues and they constitute the largest minority group in the United States. Ride-Away played an important part in modifying the young man's vehicle as chronicled on ABC TV.

Antonio's Come Back from Adversity

Antonio Dowels was driving home from a track meet during high school when he fell asleep at the wheel and crashed at 70 mph into the back of a semi truck. He woke up paralyzed, having broken his neck and suffered a severe spinal cord injury. Through years of rehabilitation and perseverance, Dowels has accomplished many goals, graduating from the University of Florida and attending St. Thomas University School of Law in Miami.

Dowels' ability to attend law school depended on his ability to be independent and transport himself. Solutions provided by Ride-Away of Tampa and community support from friends and family, football player Tim Tebow, ABC News Anchor Linda Hurtado, and the Ellen Degeneres show helped Antonio discover freedom in a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Ride-Away Delivers Freedom Through Van Modifications

The van was presented to Dowels in a ceremony at Ride-Away of Tampa, Florida. It was a true testimony to the difference a wheelchair accessible vehicle and adaptive driving equipment can make in someone's life.

"I am very thankful that Ride-Away has been a part of this whole process for 2 years," Dowels said. "It is a blessing to have (Ride-Away) here and to be a part of this whole process. I am very very fortunate."

Modifications to the vehicle from Ride-Away included electronic reduced effort steering, a B&D 6-way transfer seat with a wheelchair lock, an EMC Smart shift and an IMEC Torso support. Ride-Away installs vehicular modifications such as these daily in each of our 19 stores from Maine to Florida.

Coverage of Antonio's Journey to a New Wheelchair Van
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/10/Hillsborough/Nothing_sure_but_pain.shtml
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnIKgY5yLHg

http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/health/antonio-dowels-wins-a-modified-van-so-he-can-drive-despite-his-disability-how-you-helped-him
http://www.abcactionnews.com/news/health/antonio-dowels-has-overcome-many-obstacles-he-can-go-to-law-school-if-he-can-win-a-modified-van
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSEYUmh_qM8

About HASCO Medical, Inc.

HASCO Medical is a leading provider of wheelchair accessible vans, parts, and service that dramatically improve the quality of living of its customers. The company operates 20 locations from Maine to Florida. The company's mobility brands include Ride-Away (www.Ride-Away.com), Mobility Freedom (www.MobilityFreedom.com) and Wheelchair Vans of America (www.wcvans.com). To learn more, go to www.hascomed.com.