ABOUT
We give people the tools needed to live the life they want to live.
Since Devices 4 the Disabled (D4D) was founded in 2015, we have seen countless examples of people whose lives have been drastically altered because of a disability and a lack of access to proper medical equipment. We work hard to make sure that lack of equipment doesn’t get in the way of people living their lives.
We refurbish used medical equipment that otherwise would end up in landfills. We provide it for free to those who need it most: those without insurance, who are underinsured or lack the finances to purchase the equipment they desperately need.
OUR STORY
D4D co-founder Ed Kane said about medical equipment that “When you need it…you NEED IT, and when you get it, your whole life opens up.” This awareness came to Ed disguised as a disease. Ed was married with four children, vice-president of a bank and a former rugby player. In 2011 he received the news that no one wants to hear. Ed was diagnosed with the debilitating disease ALS.
As the disease progressed, Ed required a complex wheelchair, with a price tag of $30,000. He was shocked to discover that his insurance would cover only $2,500. He used his 401K to cover the cost. Ed wondered what happens to people without savings?
Ed and Bob Shea, a friend who also was diagnosed with a neurological disease, wanted to find out how a person could get equipment they could not afford. They discovered that in Chicago there was only one small lending locker for medical equipment. Ed and Bob knew first hand the enormous need for this equipment. They knew they needed to meet this need.
And so, D4D was born.
More of our story:
THE 4 IN D4D
When you see pictures of people who have been helped by D4D holding four fingers in the air, they are embodying the four tenets our organization was built on: independence, mobility, dignity and freedom.
mobility
Not being able to move about shrinks a person’s world to a tiny bubble. We provide used mobility equipment, such as canes, walkers and wheelchairs to enable people to expand their world and move through it securely.
independence
Access to medical equipment gives people the ability to participate in activities of daily living without having to rely on other people.
freedom
Being mobile and independent brings the freedom to set one’s own course in life and engage in activities that so many of us take for granted.
dignity
All people deserve the right to pursue their own dreams and be treated with dignity and respect.
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OUR FOUNDERS
Ed Kane
Founder emeritus
Ed Kane founded Devices 4 the Disabled in 2015. He succumbed to complications of ALS in September 2016. We continue in his spirit and we honor his memory, and he continues to inspire us.
Bob Shea
Founding Director - Board Member
Bob Shea is Co-Founder of D4D. In 2002, he was stricken with Guillian-Barre Syndrome and rendered a quadriplegic. He eventually recovered and is now devoted to helping others deal with illness and disability.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Jessica Corbus
executive Director
Jessica Corbus, PT, DPT, MOL enjoys working directly with individuals with disabilities and their families, helping to strengthen connections and communities through her work at Devices 4 the Disabled. A licensed physical therapist with decades of experience in clinical practice and academic leadership, she founded the Physical Therapist Assistant program at Kankakee Community College and later trained future clinicians as a Senior University Lecturer in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Governors State University. She served nine years on the Board of Directors of Options Center for Independent Living and collaborated with colleagues to facilitate an interdisciplinary stroke support group for survivors and their families.
Robbie Kuchler O'Shea
Director of Clinical Services
Robbie Kuchler O’Shea PT, DPT, PhD, HConductor recently retired from a long career of teaching at the Governors State University PT program. Robbie began her career at LaRabida Children’s Hospital. Over the course of her career she has worked in hospital, school, and early intervention settings. While teaching full time, she maintained a clinical practice working with 0–3-year-olds and their families. She has authored several textbooks, textbook chapters and articles. Robbie currently sits on the Board of Directors at the Center for Independence.
Emiliano Rojas
Director of Operations
Emiliano Rojas is native to Mexico City. He moved to Chicago in 2001, attended NEIU for graphic design and has a background in IT. He is excited to expand his knowledge as a Medical Wheelchair and Scooter Technician to support D4D’s growing community.
OUR BOARD
Nooshin Shahlari Bowman
CHAIR
Nooshin Shahlari Bowman is a committed and mission-driven professional with a background in chemical & biomedical engineering, management consulting, and nonprofit governance. A Senior Consultant at Deloitte, she is a recent MBA graduate of the Kellogg School of Management and brings a thoughtful, strategic lens to her work across sectors. For over five years, Nooshin has worked in Deloitte’s medical device practice, supporting leading companies with strategic transformation and growth initiatives. She also helped lead the firm’s national StepUp board, advancing pro bono, skills-based volunteering efforts that engage over 6,000 employees annually.
As a Kellogg Board Fellow, Nooshin worked closely with D4D – a project collaboration honored with the 2025 Golub Capital Board Fellows Impact Award. As Board Chair, Nooshin is shaping D4D’s vision for national growth and broader impact.
Ed Wehmer
VICE CHAIR
Ed Wehmer co-founded Wintrust Financial Corporation and, as President and CEO, grew it from a single bank in Lake Forest, Illinois, into one of the top 30 U.S. commercial banking institutions with 175 branches. He has served on boards for Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation, Lurie Children’s Hospital, and the Archdiocese of Chicago, and participates in civic groups including the Economic Club of Chicago and the Commercial Club.
Ed brings his leadership and strategic expertise to D4D, guiding the Board and helping expand the organization’s impact for individuals with disabilities.
Concepcion (Connie) Favela RN, BSN
Board treasurer
DIRECTOR OF Durango project
Concepcion Favela is a clinic nurse for ACCESS which has 35 health centers throughout Chicagoland. She is a member of professional and service organizations. Connie has dedicated her career to working for health care nonprofits where she has served in a variety of leadership positions. She has won numerous awards for her work, both in this country and in service to the disadvantaged of her birth state – Durango, Mexico.
Lubia Suterwala
Board secretary
Lubia Suterwala, MPH. Lubia is a dedicated public health professional with more than ten years of experience in promoting health equity for underserved communities in Illinois. As the Manager of Community Public Health Outreach at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), she creates culturally tailored strategies to tackle health disparities and enhance equitable access to resources across the state. Previously, she led initiatives focused on racial health equity and community engagement at the Sinai Urban Health Institute (SUHI). Lubia holds both an MPH and a BA in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC).
Brad Edwards
Board member
Brad Edwards co-founded the Chicago communications firm BE Media Inc. Before that, he earned recognition as one of the nation’s most awarded investigative reporters and news anchors at CBS Chicago. His Emmy-winning story in 2015 played a pivotal role in launching D4D.
Dr. Robin Washington, PT, PhD, CRC
Board member
Dr. Robin Washington, PT, PhD, CRC, brings over 30 years of expertise in physical therapy, education, and patient-centered care. Dr. Washington holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from the University of Vermont (1991), a Master of Education from the University of Central Oklahoma (1996), and a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale (2005).
As a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Dr. Washington is dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities, offering specialized counseling and customized rehabilitation strategies that promote greater independence and quality of life. Her extensive experience and commitment to best practices in clinical care make her a valuable addition to the organization and mission to serve underserved communities.
Janeen Bolden-Born, PT, DPT, NCS
Board Member
Janeen Bolden-Born has nearly two decades of experience as a board-certified neurological physical therapist, where she has driven positive change, championed equitable access, and improved outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Combining clinical excellence with a passion for teaching and mentorship, she serves as adjunct faculty in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Governors State University. In this role, she introduces students to D4D through experiential learning, helping future healthcare professionals understand real-world mobility challenges and the importance of community-based care. Janeen is also pursuing a Doctor of Health Sciences degree with dual certification in health professions education at the University of Indianapolis, further bridging clinical practice, education, and advocacy.
Outside the classroom and clinic, Janeen expresses creativity and joy as a professional Latin dancer. Through her leadership, mentorship, clinical insight, and commitment to service, she strengthens the Board of Directors, guiding strategic decisions and expanding D4D’s impact for the communities it serves.
Joel Heifitz
Board Member
Joel Heifitz is co-founder and CEO of Chicago-based Concept Laboratories, a leader in developing and manufacturing high-quality beauty, pain relief, and household products. Drawing from his own lived experience, Joel brings a unique perspective to Devices 4 the Disabled as a founding Board member. His commitment to innovation, equity, and community service has shaped both his business career and his role in advancing D4D’s mission.
As a leader, entrepreneur, and advocate, Joel ensures that the voices and needs of individuals with disabilities remain central to D4D’s growth and impact.
Maria Silva
BOARD MEMBER
Maria Silva brings a lifetime of resilience, compassion, and lived experience to the Devices 4 the Disabled Board. A proud Chicagoan since 1980, Maria emigrated from Tijuana, Mexico at age 12, overcoming language barriers and family hardship to build a life dedicated to service, leadership, and advocacy. Her personal connection to D4D’s mission is profound: in 2018, her son suffered a spinal cord injury, and through her advocacy and care, she witnessed firsthand the transformative impact of mobility equipment on independence and dignity.
Maria draws on her experience as a caregiver, advocate, and mother to inform D4D’s programs, ensuring that the organization remains responsive to the real needs of the people it serves. Her leadership, empathy, and commitment to access and opportunity strengthen the Board of Directors and help expand D4D’s impact in the community.
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
Tom McCabe
advisory Board Member
Thomas McCabe is Vice President/ Operations for Smith LaSalle Civil Engineers in Franklin Park and serves as the Village Engineer. Tom has been an active member of the Knights of Columbus for over 35 years and started his current council. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, he had officiated college football in the MidAmerican Conference for 15 years and he now uses that experience to officiate in the US Wheelchair Football League.
Ron Friedman
Advisory Board Member
Ron Friedman brings 30+ years successful leadership in Information Technology, including collaborative roles in private, public, and non-profit organizations, most recently with the non-profit Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center, the third-largest holocaust museum in the world. He also brings a broad background in small business administration, marketing, customer service operations, public relations, finance and logistics to the table. He has been a volunteer with D4D since 2022.
Nathan DeGodt
advisory Board Member
Nathan DeGodt, MHA. Nathan serves as the President and CEO of Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP) and brings over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector. He earned his BA from Texas Tech University and his MHA from The University of Southern California. In addition, Nathan has previously taught advanced degree courses as an Adjunct Professor at The University of Southern California-Sol Price School of Public Policy.
David C Vaughan CRTS, ATP
Advisory Board member
David C Vaughan has been an Adaptive Technology Professional since 2006 and has worked in the home health care industry since 1992. In 2007 he came to National Seating and Mobility as an ATP/ Branch manager and brought the branch from bottom five in revenue to the top five in just two years. He works exclusively with Marian Joy Rehab, Northwestern and Shirley Ryan Abilities lab.
Paul Juettner
advisory Board Member
Paul G. Juettner is a civil engineer and patent attorney. He holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana. Paul worked for Harza Engineering Company as an engineer while attending law school at night, and in 1981 was awarded a Juris Doctor degree with High Honors from the Chicago Kent College of Law. For more than 40 years, Paul practiced patent and trademark law, retiring from Greer, Burns & Crain, Chicago.
Paul has a longstanding commitment to community service, supporting several nonprofit organizations throughout his career. He served on the National Committee of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (2009–2014), was Treasurer of the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago Educational Foundation (2016–2026), and currently serves as General Counsel for the Chicago Engineers Foundation. For many years, he has supported Devices 4 the Disabled in meaningful ways, including picking up donated equipment to ensure it can be placed into the hands of individuals in need. Outside of his service, Paul enjoys baseball, barbeque, and blues music.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Rosario
wAREHOUSE & Clinic
Misael
Warehouse & CLINIC
Mayra
Warehouse & clinic
Leesly
Community Outreach