VILLAS – “Not covered” is a term that Angelica “Angel” Mullin knows all too well.
The 26-year-old student at Richard Stockton College has traveled, literally, light years in her wheelchair since a tragic accident in San Diego, Calif.. five years ago left her a paraplegic.
With her family’s unflinching support, Mullin overcame a crippling car crash with her almost “Unsinkable Molly Brown” attitude.
She has maintained a stellar grade point average and has been a regular on the dean’s list.
The 1998 Wildwood Catholic graduate lifts weights at Atilus Gym in Wildwood, loves riding the boardwalk on a hand-powered bicycle, and adores her digital Nikon camera, which she totes everywhere “just in case.”
However, there is a limit, and it often comes via curt rejection letters from Medicare, Medicaid or Veterans Administration. That’s because her father, Ted, is a Vietnam veteran.
The education major, whose goal is to become a high school Spanish teacher, has also learned about the fine print and limits of insurance coverages.
A special shower-accessible chair lists for $2,000, and insurance will not pay for it, she said.
Since a subsequent break to her tailbone in movie theater mishap, Mullin needs that shower chair that will “cushion and protect” that section of her back.
To Angel, it would be necessary medical equipment. Not so to insurance carriers, she said.
Angel’s father’s East Virginia Avenue home here was remodeled to accommodate her wheelchair.
The house is totally compliant with handicap-accessible codes from its long front ramp to the kitchen, where the sink is open underneath to permit Angel to use it while in her chair.
Light switches are accessible to her; doors are extraordinarily wide. The floor is uniform throughout to allow ease of movement.
The bathroom was revamped to allow wheelchair access and has a large, open tile shower area, with special accessible handles.
Angel drives a modified Ford Winstar van with hand controls, a driver’s seat that turns to allow her to get from seat to wheelchair, and hydraulic ramp.
‘That was a crucial change in my life, and gave me independence,” said Mullin.
“It was scary getting back into driving,” she said, as the distant accident while she headed to the University of California at San Diego, lingers in her mind.
“It didn’t work out, so I readjusted my path,” she said with renewed vigor.
“Another thing I learned, flexibility and adaptation is the key to survival,” she said.
A philosophy student, Mullin described her religious outlook as “not really a Christian, but an eclectic blend.”
She exudes a pleasant personality, and makes a special effort to smile at people, especially those who often look grumpy.
“Sometime, someone could be miserable, and if they smile back at me, they might think, ‘Someone is being nice to me.’ It feels good,” she said.
Her travels away from this county only cemented her ties to it.
“I love Cape May County. I wanted to see what’s outside Cape May County, but the county is home to me. I feel very nourished by that, the ocean and nature so close,” she said.
“It’s like a big family here,” she said, adding that so many came to her aid after her accident, it made her realize a new meaning of “community.”
“I try to have a positive twist on things. I’m enjoying my life with a disability. I have great relationships with people in my circle. I’m doing the things I want to so, to a certain extent, within my means,” she said.
Mullin said she is committed to “being positive and doing what is productive.”
To that end, she is presently doing fieldwork and teacher observation at Atlantic City High School.
There, she has found many students appreciate her, and often confide in her about all facets of their teen lives.
If all goes as planned, Mullin should graduate in May 2008.
In the interim, she is enjoying the life of a busy student. She has a supportive boy friend, who also shares her love of photography. She also enjoys cooking and gardening, and recently visited Longwood Garden and recorded many delicate images of blossoms in its conservatory.
Still, there are things she needs, but cannot afford.
One such item is a specialized $4,800 bed that “will work for me to relieve pressure points.”
To Mullin and her father, “It seems everything is $1,000, $2,000, $5,000, and isn’t covered by any insurance.”
The family seized upon a widely used tactic to help buy those out-of-reach disability-related items for Mullin: a benefit for Angel.
Ted only hopes it will be more profitable than a previous benefit, which netted “under $200.”
Another benefit will be held April 29 from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Bolero Lounge, Oak and Atlantic avenues, Wildwood. Tickets ($20) are available by calling Pat at 408-6687 or Ted at 886-1215.
The group Love Train will provide the music.
Angel is looking forward to that night. Maybe she’ll even dance, because she knows life has many high points.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or: al.c@cmcherald.com
