Read this news story. (prepare to be really annoyed with some people in Omaha)
http://omaha.com/article/20091027/NEWS01/710279982
It's too bad he couldnt get a neighbor to put it inside for him...plus, it rained a bunch (and I think, that's the day it snowed here...maybe?) You would think it was also ruined by water getting into the control yoke.
I hope he can get a new one...forget fixing it...I hope a local scooter company can replace it for him, either at a discount or for free.