Channel 6 News reported two weeks ago about the Wahoo man unable to use his wheelchair-accessible van because of a lift problem. Now he’s back on the road again.

How much is your independence worth to you? Taxpayers paid more than $15,000 so a disabled veteran had the equipment to get around on his own. But a safety issue left him stranded.

For months, Joe Cook’s efforts to leave home had been stuck in neutral. The motorized wheelchair taxpayers bought him couldn't safely be lifted into his van. “I keep thinking someday maybe something's gonna happen I'll be able to drive it."

That day has come. Siebert Mobility redesigned a lift that would pick up the wheelchair and put it in Joe's van. So now he can drive where he wants to go. "Somebody's pretty smart putting this stuff together."

Siebert’s technicians spent 20 hours retrofitting the lift to handle the heavy wheelchair. “As a veteran that deserved use of the chair and use of the lift and the VA did put the best lift they could find in that van,” says Bill Siebert of Siebert Mobility.

The $3,500 redesigned lift can safely put the $12,000 wheelchair in Joe’s van. "This is slick." After months of waiting, Joe can drive himself where he wants to go. "It cheers you up. I feel better physically, I just feel more energetic now just ‘cause I know I can go somewhere."

Siebert Mobility says it helps about four veterans a week with wheelchair lift issues.

A veteran who fought for our freedom finally gets his independence. "I give him a kiss or a hug,” laughs Cook, who says the first place he plans to go now that he can finally drive is to church.