Taking Action: Disabled Tampa man who delivers food to elderly needs your help

TAMPA - Scotty Crocker was born 41 years ago with cerebral palsy, but his disability doesn't slow him down much.

"He loves politics. He goes dancing. He belongs to a league, a bowling league,” said his mom Norma Crocker.

But she says her son looks forward to every other Wednesday the most. 

"Every other week he goes to Meals on Wheels.  But if it was up to him, he'd go every week,” she said.

Scotty delivers food to the elderly and homebound for Meals on Wheels Tampa, but he'll tell you it's getting out of his own back yard that sometimes is most challenging.

"The wheels get stuck,” Scotty Crocker said.

Norma Crocker is 78 years old and her son's wheelchair is heavy.

She pushes it over uneven concrete, tree roots, and soft sand to a gate in their backyard.

A volunteer van picks up Scotty for his Meals on Wheels route in an alley that runs behind the gate, but lately the trip has been much more difficult.

"I fell and I hurt my back and it was time for me to get help," said Norma Crocker.

Now a caregiver helps the Crockers on some days.

But Meals on Wheels Tampa is hoping you can help the Crockers too.

"He is going out and delivering meals to people just like himself, who can't possibly get out of the door for whatever reason. That's inspiring," said Katie White, Meals on Wheels Tampa Public Relations.

"We would love to see this community step up to help Scotty with the challenges he faces," said Steve King, Executive Director for Meals on Wheels Tampa. 

They’re hoping people step up so the trip through his backyard isn't so bumpy, his mom doesn't have such a struggle and so every other Wednesday Scotty Crocker can deliver food without ever slowing down.

If you want to help the Crockers, please email ABC Action News Reporter Carson Chambers at cchambers@abcactionnews.com.