About Mobility Rental Service

Mobility Rental Service is a family owned and operated service that originally began as Active Mobility Inc in 1980. It was founded by my mother, Fran Ralston-Barnes, in Moline, Illinois. It all began because Fran’s little sister, Alma, who had cerebral palsy got married and shortly thereafter got pregnant. With Alma’s disability she was not able to walk during her pregnancy so Fran went searching for something for her to use. She found a company that provided a small 3 wheel mobility cart that allowed Alma to use it indoors. When Fran saw what a need there was for that equipment and no one local was available she went to work for that company.

As time went on Fran realized there were several other type of mobility carts out there that she wanted to sell. So she left that company and began "Active Mobility, Inc." She opened a store in Moline Illinois and provided service as well as sales of mobility carts.

About 1990 Active Mobility Inc was contact by Illinois State Fair to provide "rental equipment" at their state fair. She had never done this but was willing to give it a chance! Shortly thereafter EAA contacted Active Mobility, Inc to also provide rental service at their annual event. From there we began servicing other events.

In 1993 she restructured Active Mobility, Inc and closed the office. The rental business had grown and with all the Medicare changes the "Durable Medical Equipment" business had definitely deteriated. Active Mobility, Inc had now become a primary rental business. Although we still did some sales!

In 2006 I, Fran’s only daughter, Sue Kelly, and my husband, Dave, joined the business. Our primary business was to run the rental division of Active Mobility, Inc. We expanded the rental business to include new events such as "Car Shows, Swap Meets, Covered Bridge Festivals, PGA Tournaments, and more". You will find us at a different event just about every weekend! We have traveled from Pennsylvania to Arizona providing our service!

With the growth of the "rental business" we have now changed the "rental division" of our business to "Mobility Rental Service" to help identify who we are and what we do! We believe in "service"! We want to help the people who need our equipment enjoy the events they go to! If we can help you, please let us know!!