County-wide disability ride service in the works

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (Wyoming News Now) - Ever found yourself without a way to work or a doctor’s appointment?

That’s the everyday reality for close to a thousand people with disabilities throughout Laramie County.

But that’s also the reality that Leo Levengood, founder of Lion’s Disability Transport Service (LDTS), hopes to end. It’s a little known issue to most but a debilitating problem for many.

Levengood said there’s close to a thousand people in need of rides already and that’s just those who are documented. There’s likely far more who’ve been, and remain, unaccounted for.

“The mission is to transport the disabled wherever they need to go. There’s nothing in the county and, within the city, public transportation has its limits. So we’re going to try to fill in those gaps,” Levengood said.

For many, it’s become increasingly difficult to fulfill a variety of necessary tasks. Even if finding their way to a job isn’t a problem, other necessities like getting to medical appointments is difficult as well. To make the problem worse, accomplishing this takes time. When that means taking time off from work, that’s money lost.

“They have to take time off and that’s affecting their budgets. Anybody caring for the disabled knows that it takes a lot of time away from their work to do these types of transports,” Levengood said.

Right now, Leo and his mission are at the mercy of grant holders. LDTS is in the midst of applying for a grant, but even if it’s awarded, they’ll still need to raise a portion of the funds. A big part of accomplishing that aspect of their mission will be through fundraising.

The first step is a dinner and auction they’re hosting April 14 at Little America. They’re currently hoping for more sponsors and donations.

Those interested in tickets or supporting Leo’s mission can contact him through email at lionsdts@gmail.com or call Leo at his office at 307-514-4363.

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