COURTESY PHOTO
Mike Keikian replaced the flat tire on Sheila Zaremba’s wheelchair.
By BRIDGET TURCOTTE
LYNN — When the tire on Sheila Zaremba’s wheelchair blew out while she was at a doctor’s appointment in Boston, she took two trains and a bus straight to Western Avenue Auto Body.
The Norton Street resident had met Mike Keikian, who works at the shop, twice before and thought he may be able to simply refill the tire with air. Unfortunately, Keikian said the tire was past the point of repair.
“I tried to fix it but there was nothing I could do,” he said.
Knowing Zaremba didn’t have the money to invest in a new tire, Keikian said he set out to find a replacement. He visited Walmart and three local pharmaceutical stores in search of the proper fit, but came up empty-handed. Because of the age of the tires, none of the shops carry the tire he was looking for anymore.
Keikian found the part online for $106 and had it shipped to the shop. On Saturday, he and his mechanic Roberto Mazariegos brought it to Zaremba’s home and installed it on her chair.
“At first she couldn’t believe it,” said Keikian. “She was stunned. She was just so overwhelmed with happiness. She drove it around in her driveway. That was my satisfaction right there.”
Zaremba said using her power wheelchair is the only way she can get around.
“I can walk a little bit and get around in my home, but I need my chair,” she said. “It was a real blessing that he was able to do that for me.”
Bridget Turcotte can be reached at bturcotte@itemlive.com. Follow her on Twitter @BridgetTurcotte.