Syl Morrone felt like a celebrity. He had purchased a classic Italian moss green Fiat 500 and been driving it for about three months. “It was the most wonderful car. People were jealous of this car. It had eye appeal!” recalls the former English teacher.
Sadly, that exuberance didn’t last. He was involved in an accident while driving home from his job as a technology aide in the Scarsdale Public School District. Syl broke his collarbone and his brand-new snazzy car was totaled.
That was in 2015. Syl still can’t remember what happened that day. Many medical appointments and tests later, he and his doctors are unsure of what caused him to lose control of the car. Because they were not able to predict whether it would happen again, Syl had to stop driving.
Syl, now 81, lives in Fleetwood, a section of Mount Vernon, about a five-minute drive to the Metro-North Railroad station. With his injury, bus lines were difficult to navigate and the trips to doctor and physical therapy appointments were too far away. Cab fares added up quickly. So, he put an ad in the paper for a driver and for about a year, he had one take him to and from his job in Scarsdale and to his appointments. But that, too, was pricey.
So, he searched for community support services for older adults. He joined Gramatan Village, a membership-based aging-in-community organization in Bronxville, and through them, heard about TRA (then known as WestFair Rides). TRA provided free volunteer rides to medical appointments, and referral services to older adults and adults with vision impairment. After he noticed a flyer for TRA at his local library, he decided to call for help in getting to his medical appointments.
Soon, TRA’s dedicated volunteers began driving Syl to his physical therapy appointments at Burke Rehabilitation in Yonkers. His therapy focuses on treating balance issues and vertigo related to his accident. He also needed to see his primary physician and neurologist.
“If I didn’t have TRA, I would be at a complete disadvantage,” says Syl. “I would have to depend on my daughter, who is a full-time teacher in Pelham and has a busy life of her own. Or I’d have to take expensive cabs. It really eases my mind to know I can rely on WestFair’s service.”
Syl says he finds the entire experience – from signing up for rides, to taking them – seamless and easy.
“The process is simple,” he explains. “All of the drivers I have had are very helpful. They are all easy to talk to – not just drivers, but good companions. The volunteers are willing to hear about what I need, and explain how they can help. They are punctual. They are always interested in me and conversation flows easily. I’ve even developed relationships now with a few of my ‘regular’ drivers.”
He recalls one driver who had a grown daughter the same age as Syl’s adult daughter. They spent a long time discussing their teenage years, comparing them to the challenges today’s teens face.
“I had just met this woman, but here we were, in deep conversation,” as he describes it. “TRA has created a warm environment where you’re really able to make personal connections.”
Syl says what he likes best about TRA is that he never felt infirm or disabled or inferior while using the service. He says he is always treated respectfully, and that means a lot to him. When he was asked to review the service, all he could do was rave.
“The volunteers are that great. I hope people continue to volunteer, because there are so many people who need help getting around and have to depend on others for help. I would say if you are considering it, you will be providing physical and mental warmth with your service. You will be part of the TRA family. You will bring such happiness and comfort into the lives of others by just helping us get to where they need to go.”
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