Bernard McFarlane, a paraplegic has used his Amigo for three years.

“It’s my car. That’s what it is now,” said McFarlane.

The electric scooter is the choice electric machine among residents at Abby Park, a senior retirement community in Grand Blanc.

Surprising considering they are hard to come by for many seniors on Medicare since the scooters are only partially reimbursed.

"I like this best because I can ride around the building which is four tenths of a mile and these will go 26 miles without a recharge."

Al Thieme owner of Amigo Mobility International,  started manufacturing and selling  Amigos in Bridgeport more than 40 years ago for a family member who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

“I put this unit together and since it was such a friend to her we named it Amigo," said Thieme.

Originally a majority of Thieme’s clients were people using Amigos in their homes but Thieme says when Medicare funding became available for mobility equipment, suppliers saw the opportunity to supply an expensive power wheelchair.

Thieme’s business eventually expanded to grocery stores and that’s 90% of his business today, but it's people with mobility issues he would like to cater too.

"We're so very good at that and it's unfortunate that we have been moved out of that market."  

Amigos run about $2000 to $3000 and a powered wheelchair can cost about $5000 to $9000. While the wheel chair is more expensive than an Amigo many wind up with one because it’s Medicare covers more of the cost.

"If a person wants mobility they should pay equally for our unit or a power wheelchair and Medicare would save millions of dollars," said Thieme.

McFarlane says he was lucky the first time around since he bought his Amigo used but he doesn’t know what he’ll do when he needs another one.

“I love it i don't want to be without it."