Owen's Outfitters is simplifying how folks in need get medical equipment

Megan Raposa -

Editor's note: This story is part of Sioux Falls Simplified's second annual "A Little Help" give-back effort. We're sharing stories all month long about Owen's Outfitters with the goal of raising $5,000 to support this fast-growing nonprofit. You can learn more here and donate here.

Simplified: Owen Turner's parents spent much of his short 12 years of life navigating the frustrating ins and outs of the healthcare system working to get the necessary equipment to manage his complex medical needs. Now, in his memory, Mike and Eleanor Turner have helped connect hundreds of people in Sioux Falls with medical equipment through their nonprofit, Owen's Outfitters.

Why it matters

  • Owen's Outfitters is a medical equipment lending library. Essentially, if you need medical equipment – knee scooters, crutches, wheelchairs, ostomy supplies, breast pumps, adult diapers, you name it – you can come to Owen's Outfitters, and if they have it, they'll give it to you.
  • The organization has given away more than $1.4 million worth of medical supplies since opening in 2022. Most of the people receiving those supplies are making less than $50,000 annually – though it's important to note there are no income qualifications to receive help from the nonprofit.
  • The nonprofit relies on donated medical supplies, many of which have a useful life far longer than they're needed by any one patient. So there's not only the benefit of connecting people with medical equipment, but there's also the added benefit of reducing medical waste.
    • For example, Executive Director Mike Turner said he'll see the same knee scooter several times. Someone uses it for a few weeks, then donates it back, and so on.
"They used it, it made their lives better, and now they want it to make someone else’s life better," he said.

Tell me more about Owen

Owen was born in May 2009 with a chromosomal abnormality so rare that his is the only documented case.

  • In addition, Owen had an extensive list of diagnoses likely caused by his chromosome disorder. Doctors weren't sure how long he would survive.

That all required quite a bit of medical equipment, Mike said, but even with fairly reliable private insurance, Owen was denied time and time again on claims for equipment doctors said he needed.

"We would beg borrow and steal," Mike said. "There were times that we just didn't get the medical equipment that they said Owen needed. It was so bad at times we almost gave up."

The Turner family moved from their home in Wisconsin to Sioux Falls in 2016, where Owen continued to seek care and were connected with Dr. Michelle Schimelpfenig, who later became a co-founder of Owen's Outfitters.

Owen was 12 years old when he died peacefully in his parents arms at home on Sept. 20, 2021.

Owen's legacy is more than his illness. His parents describe him as mischievous, loving, funny, sassy and the bravest kid they've ever met. He also loved Mickey Mouse, the texture of paper, music and the color pink – which is why Owen's Outfitters branding is all pink.

Tell me more about Owen's Outfitters

The process for receiving supplies is simple (we love to see it).

  • People who need medical supplies can fill out a one-page form and then can take what they need. If it's something reusable, like a wheelchair, cane, ankle boot, toilet seat riser, the only ask is that you bring it back when you're done.
"People ask us all sorts of stuff like, 'How often can I come back?'" Mike said. "(The answer is) as often as you need stuff ... We have made it literally as easy as we possibly can."

The organization also works with several other nonprofits in town to connect folks with the equipment they need – including Call to Freedom, Independent Living Choices, Lewis Drug, the Center for Hope, the Glory House and more.

If you walk in looking for supplies, chances are you'll see Mike in a pink shirt (often accompanied by the family dog, Toffee).

You'll also see a physical space that's packed to the gills with medical equipment. Owen's Outfitters is actively looking for a larger space to accommodate the growing demand for its services.

In the first month it was open, the nonprofit gave away 103 items. In February of this year, that number jumped to 4,385.

  • Since its launch, Owen's Outfitters has given away about 25,000 unique items.

How can I help?

The nonprofit relies on donations – both monetary and donated medical supplies.

And, if you happen to have the hook-up on a warehouse space in Sioux Falls that could accommodate this fast-growing nonprofit, please reach out.