Free Wheelchair Mission

Back to School in Morocco!

2011-09-28T09:54:00.000-07:00

Distribution partners are a key link in getting wheelchairs from the factory to the people that need them. Today’s story comes from Morocco, and our primary partner in the region, Gateway Medical Alliance. GMA works in a variety of medical interventions and has served the people of Morocco with wheelchair distribution since 2006; we are proud to partner with these dedicated humanitarians.

Amine is an eight year old boy that one of our local advocates brought to our attention. Struggling with mobility as a result of cerebral palsy, he was definitely in need of physical therapy, so we began giving him sessions here at our local center.

In addition, we brought him a wheelchair to enhance his mobility. Although he is able to walk slowly if someone holds both hands and stabilizes him, he falls a lot and lacks motor control over his lower limbs. Because of the wheelchair, Amine can now safely navigate his world. Most importantly, he is now able to get to school and back, allowing him to re-enroll in elementary school. There are very limited accommodations for the handicapped in Morocco; if they are not able to get to school and move in and out of the classrooms independently, the teachers just ask them to stay at home.

This gift not only gave Amine mobility around the house and with his friends, it allowed him to begin therapy and enroll again in school, thus improving his health and broadening his future. Thanks to FWM for making a difference!
Education is the most valuable way children can have a chance to pull themselves out of the cycle of poverty. But, without mobility, the classroom can be out of reach. In Morocco and around the developing world, a wheelchair can make all the difference.

The Match Is Back!

2011-09-09T15:32:00.001-07:00

Last year, one of our most exciting campaigns was our Matching Gift Challenge! It was a chance for our friends and supporters to have every dollar matched, effectively doubling their gift and sending twice the wheelchairs around the world. It was a tremendous success and very exciting!

Well, now it’s September again, and I’m happy to share with you that the Match is Back!! Starting today, thanks to our generous benefactors who have provided the matching funds, we will again be able to double your donations. When you donate one wheelchair for $63.94, we match it to become two. Donate five wheelchairs and we match them to become ten. If we match every dollar, the Matching Gift Challenge has the power to send 5,500 wheelchairs around the world – changing 5,500 lives forever.

The Match is Back and it’s a great time to make a difference – but only if you donate before October 31, 2011. Let’s take on this challenge, make some smiles like the beautiful ones in this photo, and change thousands of lives forever.

God bless, Don

Stories and faces from Papua New Guinea

2011-09-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

Papua New Guinea is a country of just under 7 million people located on the eastern half of the island New Guinea in the south Pacific. It’s a beautiful area and one of the world’s least explored countries; unfortunately, many of its people live in extreme poverty. Our partner in the region, the Foundation for Rural Development (FORD), has distributed over a thousand wheelchairs, and they shared with us these photos and stories:

Little Israel had meningitis due to a malaria attack when he was young. As a result, he has a weak back and has been hand held for most of life. He is seen here enjoying his first wheelchair ride.

Pawa was born a paraplegic. Now almost 25 years old, she is from Jimi, one of the most remote spots in the Western Highlands Province. It was a challenge to deliver wheelchairs to this particular location.

Ishameal was an able-bodied teenager, until lapsing into a coma at the age of 16. He was diagnosed with spinal TB and became paralyzed from the waist down. Now 22, he’s finally returned to mobility and independence.

Our partners around the world are a vital link in the chain as wheelchairs are rolled out to the people who need them the most. We are grateful to FORD and to our many partners in the field for their dedication to the cause – in 81 countries, they’re helping make a difference, lifting people with disabilities to a better tomorrow.

“...an amazing day of grace . . .opening the door to so many possibilities ahead.” - Reflections on Fishfest 2011

2011-08-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Thanks somuch to our founder and president, Don Schoendorfer, for sharing his memoriesof FWM’s experience at Fishfest 2011!

Saturday, June 25^that Irvine’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, wasan extraordinary day for all of us at Free Wheelchair Mission. As the featured charity of Fishfest 2011, weenjoyed an afternoon that spilled into evening filled with great music,brilliant sunshine, the joy of new friendships and the blessings of . . .well,those not so new!

Like most events, it was a long day, starting early as wedrove the vans up the access lanes and into the venue, packed full with bannersand signs and boxes of every size. We pitchedpop-ups and set up tables, assembled signs and handed out name badges, pushedwheelchairs into position, set out water bottles for the volunteers, anddragged around helium tanks for the balloons. A long day indeed, wrapping up well past midnight as we undid all of theabove, packing up the vans to head back home.

In between all this setting up and tearing down, though, itwas a picture-perfect day full of memorable moments:

An army of volunteers in blue shirts ready to pitch in and help.
An oasis of shade at the FWM booth, a cool welcome to passers-by.
The sight of our colorful FWM banners spinning in the wind on a breezy day.
Baskets of black FWM wristbands migrating to the crowds and uniting us all in a common bond.
Music from the sound system, filling the air with praise and inspiration.
An amphitheatre filled to the brim with over 16,000 enthusiastic concert goers
Pastor Kenton Beshore’s powerful message from the stage, stirring the crowd and spreading the word.
The first public reaction to our new video – “We Just Have To Go Back” – visibly touching the crowd and opening hearts and minds to the mission.
A trail of blue balloons bobbing about, sharing our Face of the Mission cards with the concert goers, collecting hundreds of wheelchairs to send around the world.
The inaugural launch of our “Text to Give” program – and the immediate wave of generosity that followed, raising over $1800 in the first minutes it went live.

Fishfest 2011 proved to be an amazing day of grace, asPastor Kenton reflected, “opening the door” to so many possibilitiesahead. We are grateful to TransparentProductions and 95.9 the FISH, and thank them for sharing with us this powerfulopportunity.

God Bless,

Don

Sweet sixteen lifts six lives! – Fundraiser story from Oklahoma

2011-07-19T09:46:00.000-07:00

Thanks somuch to this proud mother for sharing an inspirational story of one personmaking a difference!

This year marked my daughter’s sixteenth birthday. For almost a year, Katelin has talked aboutdonating three wheelchairs to Free Wheelchair Mission instead of receivinggifts on her big day. So, for her Sweet 16^th,
I planned a party forall her friends. On the invitations, Iexplained to the guests about FWM and how Katelin wanted to donate wheelchairsinstead of receiving gifts.

Well, it was a huge success! Several friends donated money directly to the website, enough for twochairs; at her party, ALL of her birthday cards contained money forwheelchairs! Enough that we were able tobuy four more chairs! Katelin was so excited. Not only did her wish come true, but she doubled her goal!

My daughter is special not just for her kind and generousheart but because she is our miracle child. Katelin has an area on her brain that causes seizures; at the age of 12,she faced the possibility of a brain surgery that could have left her in awheelchair for the rest of her life. We believe that by the power of prayer Godhealed her to the point that the surgery was not necessary, and Katelin hasbeen seizure free for two years. Sometime ago, she felt the call from God leading her into mission work. My daughterfeels that her efforts to raise wheelchairs for Free Wheelchair Mission are thefirst step in her journey and she will continue to raise money for manydifferent mission needs. Katelin hasbeen a competitive cheerleader since the age of four; she only took a break forabout four months even when she was facing the surgery. Now she competes, cheersat her high school, drives a car AND works with the kids in our church!

“Now my daughter will finally get a chance.” – Recipient Story from Zambia

2011-07-01T09:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks somuch to our founder and president, Don Schoendorfer, for bringing back this inspirationalstory from his recent travels to Zambia!

Last month, I traveled to Zambiawith World Vision and three doctoral candidates enrolled in Azusa Pacific University’s physicaltherapy program. We delivered the first 500 of the 6,000 wheelchairs we plan todistribute over the next year in collaboration with World Vision, and developedadditional video materials and training manuals for the GEN_2. While there, we met a very special littlegirl:

Beauty is her name. She is five years old. She liveswith her grandmother in the tiny village of Mwachiele. In addition to malnutrition and possiblyother developmental disabilities, Beauty suffers from club feet. She walks on the sides of her ankles, andwith each step, flashes of pain shoot across her face. Her grandmother has carried her everywhere,taking her to a World Vision clinic about twice a month. The possibility of getting Beauty to schooleach day has been out of the question.

Beauty weighs 25 pounds, which is small for mostwheelchairs; however, with some simple modifications, she was very comfortablein her new GEN_2. Her mother told usthat she was intensely shy and having a dozen strangers visiting did nothelp. We wanted to take Beauty’sphotograph in her brand new wheelchair, but the best images we could get wereof her big brown eyes. She lookedsomber, but her mother recognized gladly that a world of opportunities wasopening up for her daughter in the gift of a wheelchair.

“Beauty has had little ability to be part of the communityor participate in any events,” she said. “Now my daughter will finally get a chance.”

“Wheelchairs made all the difference.” – Brothers from Laos travel to Orange County this July for Magic of Mobility!

2011-06-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our friends at Operation Blessing International in Laos for sharing this story!

On July 26^th, Free Wheelchair Mission’s Magic of Mobility will again be center stage. Great camaraderie, good food, loads of celebration, and most of all, the coveted opportunity to meet our guest wheelchair recipient. Every year, we host a person from a developing country that has received the transforming gift of mobility and get the chance to learn first-hand the difference a wheelchair can make. This summer we have not one, but TWO such honored guests that will be joining us in Costa Mesa for our annual event. Here is their story:

Through both seemed to be healthy at birth, brothers Siengmy and Siengsy Phengphachan of Laos slowly began to lose their ability to walk as they grew up. The boys had been enrolled in the local school at the time, but the family could not afford medical attention and when they could no longer walk, they had to drop out. The brothers were glad to have each other, but were deeply saddened at being separated from school and friends, and felt that they had become a burden to their family.

That was ten years ago. Now 18 and 22 years old, the boys have learned to crawl to get around, tending to the garden and feeding the animals, trying to help out as much as they could. Life has been difficult but the family never imagined their boys would each be able to have a wheelchair of their own. Last year, though, two wheelchairs were provided through Operation Blessing International and the Christian Broadcasting Network, Free Wheelchair Mission’s partners in the region.

Wheelchairs made all the difference. They boys feel successful and happy, and less dependent upon their parents. Newly mobilized, they have been able to return to school, empowered and enthusiastic about the road that lies ahead.

Magic of Mobility

Hilton Orange County

July 26^th, 2011

5:30 p.m. – Doors open! Join us for cuisine, camaraderie, and our unique silent auction.

7:45 p.m. – Program begins – featured wheelchair recipients, inspirational speakers, exciting live auction.

8:45 p.m. – Dessert and coffee

Attire: Festive with an international flair

Tickets: $150 per person. ($175 after July 18^th)

www.freewheelchairmission.org/mom

Reply by July 18 2011 for special ticket pricing.

For more information about sponsorship, donating items, or buying tickets

contact Angela Gomez at (949) 273-8470 x208 or agomez@freewheelchairmission.org

“The world looks different without a wheelchair.” – Buy a shirt and lift a life!

2011-06-22T14:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Don Schoendorfer, our founder and president, for his reflections on disability and the work we do in wheelchair provision!

For this week only, now through Monday, June 27^th, Free Wheelchair Mission will be the highlighted organization for Sevenly, a brand-new website with a new and innovative way to raise funds. Their motto is “One Tee, One Week, One Cause.” They design a special tee shirt, offer it on their site, and donate a portion of the proceeds to the selected mission. This is an amazing opportunity for us to share our story with a whole new audience, and we are grateful for the opportunity.

If you click on their site at http://www.sevenly.org/, you’ll see that the tee shirt they designed for us is a complete departure from anything we’ve done before – it is stark and impactful, a black shirt with bold graphics, and features the image of a young boy gazing up from the ground. Next to the boy are the words “the world looks different without a wheelchair.”

The world looks different without a wheelchair.

Just seven words. But enough to give me pause from this busy life and get me thinking. What would the world look like from the ground, gazing up, reaching out, trying to make it through life without legs that worked or feet that were functional? What would you see? What could you reach, touch, do? Imagine your perspective if you had lived your entire life eye-level with knees, shoes, dogs, curbs, trash. How would the world look to you? How would it feel?

It’s hard to imagine. Maybe impossible to truly understand. As someone gifted not just with mobility but with so many blessings, I know my perspective is terribly limited. But having traveled in the developing world now for many years, getting the chance to meet our recipients and being honored to touch their lives in a small way, I can certainly give it a try.

I imagine that the world would look very far away. I imagine that everyone would look very tall and be moving very fast. I think the world might appear daunting. Challenging. Frightening. Like something I could never hope to be a part of it. I wonder if I would give up hope, or begin to think I must have done something terribly wrong. I imagine more than anything else, I would be wishing that there would be someone up there that loves me, to lift me up and hold me tight, and make me feel a part of the human family.

I imagine that life on the ground would make me feel very separate, and separate is not a feeling I believe God intended us to experience.

I’m thankful to Sevenly for making us a shirt, for sharing our message with the world, and for reminding me again why we do what we do. After all is said and done, it always comes back to the people we serve, the ones experiencing life on the ground, and the difference that a simple chair with four wheels can make.

“A paintbrush in hand and employment within reach...” – Recipient Story from India

2011-06-10T20:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to Rich Skolburg, our volunteer photographer, forsending back this uplifting story from his travels in India!

Diabetes would claim his foot but not his will. A professionalpainter, Pithambaran is also a master craftsman. Five years ago, one of his last jobs involved painting thehospital in which he is now a patient. It was one of the last projects he wouldcomplete before his health condition prevented him from working. The road back to independence would bea long and difficult one.

When we asked Pithambaran what a new wheelchair wouldmean to him, he told us something surprising. One thing he liked about spendingso much time in the hospital was the fact he had access to a wheelchair, amobility and freedom he did not have at his own home. A new wheelchair couldgive him that luxury once again, wherever he might be.

Could he paint with a wheelchair? Yes, he believed he could,and within hours of receiving his gift he was at work on a piece of furniturethere in the hospital, happy to share with us his enthusiasm. His passion forthe craft had never faded and on this day like so many others, he wore the shirtwith his company’s name. He woreit proudly and insisted we get a shot of it. His joy was clear to see, ashis family and friends watched. On this day, there was something different aboutPithambrum’s smile. Yes, he was smiling with happiness, but with a paint brushin hand and employment within reach, he was also smiling with pride.

The small things - Distribution Report from South Africa.

2011-06-01T16:12:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from South Africa.

Joseph Power is 66 years old. Has had a hip replacement and is living with his family in Capricorn
Park. He needs to get to the hospital for check ups. He was in tears when he received his chair as he has been enduring a lot of pain having to walk to the clinic on crutches. He can now move around without pain to also fetch his pension and government grant.

Friday Story : "Shoes for an Angel"

2011-05-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday!

I was in Bogota, Colombia, rushing around to get what I needed for a full day of wheelchair distributions. The airlines had just delivered my lost piece of luggage, and inside I found a forgotten, tied-up grocery bag. A couple pairs of children’s shoes. It had been days since we dropped off our delivery of children’s clothes at the orphanage. What to do with these? Without an answer, I stuffed the bag into my backpack.

A few hours later I met Julia. Just fourteen, she is deaf, blind, and has cerebral palsy. She has been carried all her life. Julia has experienced her entire world through what she could feel, taste and smell.

Her mother, Maritca, gave her constant communication and encouragement through hugs, kisses, strokes of her hair. We placed Julia in our wheelchair and she came alive with joy. She found the wheels all by herself, and when she pulled them toward her, she moved. She felt motion. She smiled, and I have to believe she smiled because she felt comfortable and secure. I reached out and took hold of her hand. Julia could tell that it was a new hand, a stranger's fingers, yet she seemed to take comfort in my coarse clumsy grasp. We held hands a long time.

Her shoe fell off so I went to work to replace it, a very tight fit. I noticed a red mark on her sock. I asked her mom about it and she showed me that under the sock was an open sore. Her shoes were way too tight.

I remembered the bag of shoes stuffed into my backpack, and ran out to the car to get them. One pair of shoes and one pair of slippers, both perfect fits for Julia!

Most of the time I don’t even try to follow the complicated paths God puts before us to accomplish these important tasks. But, today even I could see God’s plan, and along the way I got to hold hands with an angel.

"This wheelchair will help me start my first business in life." - Distribution report from Vietnam

2011-05-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Vietnam.

Vo Cuong, a seventy year old man is a typical example of those who are physical imperfect by innateness or illness, and cannot easily live like other normal people. But on their face, the overflow of joy and confidence always shines.

A war accident caused him to lose his legs and one hand.

Cuong shared “I have been crawling on the ground for more than 20 years and never stop dreaming to be off the ground. I don’t care the contempt of the physical unbroken people as I do have a family like they do and I am happy as my wife and my children love me. The one thing that has been upsetting to me for years is that I haven’t got a wheelchair to lift me up from the ground and start working to support my family like a real man in a family”.

Sitting on the new wheelchair, Vo Cuong got struggled to make the chair goes on his way. Honestly, It was so hard for him as he only had one hand to control the wheels, struggled, struggled and more struggled; eventually, we were all amazed by the talent of his curtailed arm. It was so amazing!

“Thank you for giving me this wheelchair. It is such a gift of mobility. Tomorrow this wheelchair will take me to the lottery company and help me start my first business in life. I will start selling lottery tickets tomorrow to support my family. Thank you!”

"She did not utter a word but her big tears expressed how thankful she was"-Distribution Report from Indonesia

2011-05-10T16:28:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Indonesia.

The Wheelchair Distribution by Yayasan Pondok Kasih partnering with District Military Command held in Military Head-quarter in Surabaya, Indonesia.

There were 26 wheel-chairs distributed. It was overwhelming to see the recipients (young, old and veterans) could not stop crying while sitting on the very chairs they needed which they could not afford. The Commander-in-chief was so thankful that Yayasan Pondok Kasih gave to military handicapped veterans. He personally came to our office to give Yayasan Pondok Kasih a award as token of appreciation. There are a lot of testimonies how the wheelchair meant for them.

10 year old Anik, could not stop crying the entire time during the distribution. She did not utter a word but her big tears expressed how thankful she was for the wheelchair. She was unable to walk since her childhood, and her mother had to carry her everywhere she went. It was a touching sight to see the reaction of the recipients. They did not only come from Surabaya, but also from the neighboring cities , such as Sidoarjo, Gresik, Madura etc. The Military announced the distributions from the radio. People came from far and near. Since this event, they held similar events in other places. It is good that it moved the military to look for the disabled in their areas.

Don's photo reflections from India

2011-05-03T15:58:00.000-07:00

Early last month, Don took a trip to India to distribute wheelchairs and came across this man, Bashask, and his family. With bald tires and a beggar’s cup fixed to one armrest of his old wheelchair, he received a brand new wheelchair and a scholarship for his daughters to go to school.

This week, Don arrived from a second trip to India and encountered Bashask once again ... this time with his daughters off the streets and in school uniform! Don truly captured the impact of both those moments perfectly with these shots from the field!

"The girl did not wait for help to get where we were. She started crawling on her knees."- Distribution Report from Malawi

2011-04-20T16:04:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Malawi.

Kalino Village – Malawi … We are deep in Africa’s sub-Sahara in the tiny nation of Malawi. On a world map it is almost indistinguishable, but to its 14 million inhabitants it is home. As one of the poorest nations on earth the countryside is still strewn with mud-hut villages where blacktop roads are nearly non-existent and people with disabilities find themselves helpless to get around. To those who suffer disabilities and the lack of mobility it can almost be an impossible place to live.

It was a busy day in southern Malawi. It was cool with a weak wind blowing in every direction. We were several miles east of the Namikango Mission and distributing wheelchairs. Thanks to the Malawi Project and the Free Wheelchair Mission, both from the US, we had recently received a new shipment of over 500 wheelchairs.

We distributed the first wheelchair to a boy who was born with physical challenges. His educational future was about to close down. He was unable to go to School because it had become impossible for his parents to continue to carry him 7 kilometers each way to and from school. Determined to be educated, the boy felt betrayed when he had to stay at home while the other children attended classes. But the parents had no option. They had nowhere to get help to assist them. When they heard the news about the availability of wheelchairs a relative to the boy brought to Namikango Mission a hard copy of the boy’s photo as a witness of how the boy qualifies to receive a wheelchair. It was great faith on the part of this man. He could not bring the boy such a great distance to the Mission, but he thought of bringing the photo. When the wheelchair was made available to him he was unable to take it 31 kilometers to the boy’s home. Arrangement were made to deliver the wheelchair Upon receiving the means for the boy to be able to go to school the parents expressed their gratitude to the Wheelchair Mission and the Malawi Project for the donation. ”We did not expect this. We just say thank you for the help,” the Father said.

Before the truck could leave for the return trip to the mission, a tired, sweat covered man rushed up. “Only if possible, please help! There’s another girl, she is on the way, and she needs your help”. The man continued speaking rapidly, not even taking the time to compose himself and present a detailed message. Later, it was learned that he had met a girl who heard that we brought wheelchairs to a nearby village. The girl did not wait for help to get where we were. She started crawling on her knees. After crawled for several meters she could not get past the rocks spread out in front of her. She sat down. It was here where she met the man who advised her to wait there. The man ran to tell us about Patuma Masautso. Thankfully there was one wheelchair remaining.

The truck changed course to meet Patuma Masautso, and to learn more about her. She is from Kalino Village, in the southeastern district of Zomba. She is a Yao by tribe. Due to her mobility problems, Patuma has never gone to school. She does not know how old she is, but thinks she might be around 18 years of age. According to her, if she had a chance to have had a wheelchair years ago, she would have had a chance to learn at school and become a nurse. However, even though it had taken this long she expressed happiness because she will from now be able to comfortably move on a wheelchair. “I was feeling pain in my knees when I crawl for a long time”. Patuma was born with her legs bent backwards from the knees. She had never been able to use them for anything except to crawl on the helpless bruised knees.

Having accomplished our mission we returned to Namikango. It was evident what a wheelchair can do for a person in a remote Malawian Village who has no hope, no plans, and no anticipation to ever own a wheelchair up until just today. Now it is all different.

"The LRA had run over her multiple times with a vehicle, leaving her for dead." - Reflections from Uganda

2011-04-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

Doreen was a victim of the civil war there when she was a young child and the LRA had run over her multiple times with a vehicle, leaving her for dead.

Rachel and I went to visit Doreen in the 2 room hut where she lives with her mother who takes care of her. As a result of her ordeal with the LRA Doreen has no joints and cannot bend her arms or legs. But, she has the joy of the Lord. She leads the choir at her church and children living nearby come to her house where she teaches them how to read, along with some science and other subjects. She is an amazing girl.

As we were visiting with her and her mother I happened to look in the corner of the room and there was a Free Wheelchair. I got so excited and I took pictures of it and told her that we were familiar with the organization. She has had it for a couple of years and it has changed her life and allowed her to leave her hut - something she wasn't able to do before.

It was a huge blessing to unexpectedly see firsthand how your organization is reaching far into the world. It was one thing to watch your video and be touched by what I saw, but it didn't compare to seeing it up close and personal.

Cathy and Doreen

Rachel and Doreen

Blessings to you,

Cathy

-Parkcrest Church.

A precious smile, a simple testimony...Distribution report from Honduras.

2011-04-08T16:27:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Honduras.

Nestor lives in San Francisco del Valle, Ocotepeque, is 25 years old and cannot walk because of cerebral palsy. His mother has not been able to carry him because of his size and has kept him in bed to care for him. Now that they have been blessed with the wheelchair he can be sat up and taken outside.

"He was a great and very populate dancer in his community..."-Distribution Report from Haiti

2011-04-01T16:23:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Haiti

Job Mazenard, a man with plenty dreams, is living in Haiti. Specifically in Thomassique.He is 38 years old. When I first met him he was in a restaurant where I went to eat. I saw him singing for people inside of the restaurant , he had a special voice , a voice that could transcend souls. After the show I went through him to congratulate him and started to have with a little conversation that could help to know his story.

Before the earthquake He was a great and very populate dancer in his community. He started to sing and dance at 7 years old He inspired joy and happiness to people around him and people that used to see him dancing to music. He could've never imagined that a day would be so tragic for him…That day, In the earthquake January twelve last year in Haiti,Where his house collapsed with him, his wife and his son. He would die as the two others, but great to the lord someone came and saved him. He was alive but unfortunately his foot was blocked under the rubble, they were obligated to cut it. No need to tell how Pain, sadness took possession of his heart and his whole body.

Life is done with good and bad part, so this is the worst thing that could happen to Job Since then he ‘s living with his handicap, he could still sing but he couldn’t dance anymore. Moving was very difficult to him, until he received a wheelchair from Free wheelchair Mission. Even if he can’t work anymore, he still has a wheelchair to move around without any one's help.

Now he’s very happy to know that someone, a group somewhere in the world is thinking about him about people living with handicaps in Haiti.

"Later she was found again laying in the city gutter...." Distribution Report from Liberia

2011-03-21T16:21:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Liberia

Sarah Zarwye is 13 years old. Sarah is completely helpless and can do nothing for herself. Her arms and legs are very skinny and her joints are twisted and rigid. As I stood and looked at her, I couldn't imagine how her body could even be alive. To me it looked like there was little or no tissue between the bone and the skin. Talking, for her, takes major effort but in spite of it she managed to give a big smile and say "Thank-You, God!!"

At age three she was abandoned during the war, and was first found laying in a coconut plantation in Ivory Coast. Later she was found again laying in the city gutter. A Christian lady working in a hotel saw people looking in the gutter and went to see what it was and found little Sarah (muddy and covered with fire ants.) She was then taken to the police station but was released without a home. Somehow over the course of time she came to live at Life Village Orphanage in Monrovia, Liberia where she lives with 50 other orphans.

"Now, I love my work so much..." Distribution Report from Vietnam!

2011-03-14T16:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Vietnam.

Ms. Vuong Kim Tuyen's ability to get around has depended on a homemade wheelchair that her father made for her, or by her family’s help. I asked her gently the reason she is not able to walk. She spoke with some difficulty how she was born with birth defects. As a result, she is not able to walk and can only speak with difficulty.

Her father talked with me, saying, “I was a soldier and during the war, I was exposed to the toxins of Agent Orange. Because of that, my daughter’s condition is a genetic result of that exposure to Agent Orange. She faces many difficulties in her ability to move and speak”. At this point, her father’s face saddened, I’m sure because he felt sorry for his daughter. She said that her family took her to some hospitals but her condition did not improve. She told me that, “I used to be very sad and scared of going out and meeting other people. But, due to my family’s encouragement and help from The Association for the Support of Vietnamese Handicapped and Orphans, I was given training and a job working in a clothing company. I was also taught a skill of how to make artificial flowers. Now, I love my work so much, plus I feel confident and comfortable in meeting people”. Her father said proudly that she is very skillful and good at making artificial flowers and clothes. I am very happy for her and understand how much her effort was to overcome her disabilities, and how much she loves her work.

With tears running down her cheek she expressed sincere gratitude to the sponsors, for presenting her with a wheelchair. Before I left her side, she shared with me her desire to establish an artificial flower company to create jobs for other physically challenged people just like herself.

With her determination and motivation, I am sure that her dream will come true in the near future!

Another Door Has Opened

2011-03-08T15:27:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Malawi.

Nkhota Bay, Malawi … This report comes from northern Malawi near the big lake, Lake Malawi. This lake is the 12^th largest fresh water lake in the world. Nkhota Bay is situated east of the capital of the northern part of Malawi, Mzuzu, and sits beside the lake in the Nkhota District. This district in the far northern part of the nation, while the Namikango Mission is deep in the southern part of the nation.

Nkhota Bay is the home of sixty-year-old L. Chimota, a physically challenged man whose legs became paralyzed when he was seven years of age. The illness that followed was unknown to him. The only thing he knew was that he would henceforth craw in the dust, or be carried by his relatives.

When he grew up he moved to Mzuzu City in search of some sort of opportunities.

“Unlike many physically challenged people who stand around near big shops in town waiting for a hand out, Chimota spends his days beside the buildings at the Shopping Center’s veranda sewing and patching-up people’s worn out clothes for his food and wages. Quite to the contrary, instead of waiting for help, he amazingly extends his hand to reach out to others who need help. He was just born a hard worker,” Yunusu Mataka explained about him. Mataka works at the Namikango Mission in Thondwe, and it was he who took the wheelchair on the long trip north in order to deliver it to Chimota.

Mataka continues his report, “In 2009 his wheelchair was broken beyond repair. This rendered the big man destitute. As the family’s breadwinner, Chimota experienced and was forced to spend some of the little money he could make daily to board a bus to and from work. Efforts to find assistance from organizations such as Malawi Against Polio (MAP) and MACOHA to obtain a wheelchair proved futile. They all had no wheelchair in stock to help him with. At MAP northern region headquarters, his request just piled up in a large group of requests. He was told MAP only had pieces of broken wheelchairs that could cost over MK30,000.00. That would be equal to $200.00 American dollars. He couldn’t raise that much. He gave up.

However, that wasn’t the end of him. God opened another door through the Malawi Project Inc., in corroboration with the Free Wheelchair Mission. They jointly shipped a new wheelchair for the old man to use. When the wheelchair arrived at the Namikango Mission, one of the workers, knowing the predicament of Mr. L Chimoto ensured that he would benefit. He took the wheelchair for the long journey north just so the old man would be able to move, work and help his family.

As Chimota watched Yunusu Mataka leave that day for the return trip to Namikango, his life had witnessed God’s Hand opening another door for him and his future. He can now go to his business and make a little money for his family’s survival. He can go to the church and worship. He can once again go out and chat with his friends. As he smiles, Chimota has been assured of the caring Hand of God.

- Wilson Tembo and Richard Stephens

"He was the sole breadwinner in his family..." Distribution Report from India!

2011-03-02T16:07:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from India.

Irshadkhan lived with his parents in a small village in the state of Gujrat. He used to be construction labourer before he lost his legs. He was the sole breadwinner in his family. Six month ago, while working on a site, a wall suddenly collapsed on him. He suffered serious injuries on his spinal cord. Despite of an operation, Irshad was unable able to walk. To add to the tragedy, the accident occurred only a few months after he got married. His wife left him few days after the accident.

His friends and family helped Irshad in his difficult time. Sometime they would take him out of the house. He had difficulty going the toilet and completing other daily works. He hated that he was so dependable on others and could not serve and care for his parents.

Since Manav Sadhna gave him the wheelchair, Irshad has been feeling more hopeful about life. With the wheelchair, he has more independence and can go about his daily activities. He sends his blessings to the Wheelchair Mission for giving him the gift of mobility and hope.

Support Report!! Allison’s Personal Crusade

2011-03-01T15:00:00.000-08:00

Working at Free Wheelchair Mission provides us with the incredible blessing of helping others be lifted off the ground, but sometimes we forget how special the mission of FWM really is because we see it on a daily basis…and then we come across someone like Allison.

Allison is someone who uses a wheelchair, she found out about us and decided, entirely on her own, to raise money to help provide mobility for the disabled poor in developing countries. Watching her video is an inspiration to all, especially in a country where it’s so easy to take things for granted.

Thank you Allison for your courage and heart for others!

http://www.crowdrise.com/freewheels/fundraiser/SREAT

"Minister in Capital City Receives Wheelchair." Distribution Report from Malawi

2011-02-24T15:16:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Malawi.

Mr. Makhuwila is a religious leader on the northwest side of the City of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. Recently he lost the use of his legs. Even though he lives in the largest city in this poverty-ravished nation it does not help him get around in order to carry out his ministerial duties. Streets are without sidewalks. Many of the streets are little more than pothole, laced dirt paths. Cars have a difficult time negotiating these corridors, let alone someone in a wheelchair. And wheelchairs, there are very few wheelchairs, and very few people have the funds with which to purchase one. The poor are everywhere, and the need for wheelchairs finds unimaginable numbers of people waiting for every wheelchair that makes its way into this forgotten part of the world. With only a single orthopedic hospital in the country there is little that can be done for the large numbers of people who are handicapped. For Mr. Makhuwila there was little that could change his hopeless situation after he joined the position of the handicapped.

Mr. Makhuwila expresses his appreciation to the Malawi Project, and in turn to all of these groups, for the wheel chair. He was overwhelmed with joy with his wheelchair. He said, “I am very happy because the Malawi Project, through Mama Kadzamira has come to my rescue. I was unable to move around during the past six months. They have now given me a wheelchair that will enable me to move around and continue pursuing my pastoral work among people of Area 25. I thank the Lord for his mercy and the gift of the wheel chair. May God bless the Malawi Project, and Dzidalire Community Development Agency.”

"Her dream will be a reality and she can learn to read..." Distribution Report from Honduras.

2011-02-15T16:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Honduras.
Reina lives in El Ocotal Tupido, Santa Barbara and since her birth she has had problems in her feet. When she didn’t walk until she was two, the professionals detected that she had a form of osteoporosis.

Reina desired to enter Kindergarten but was limited by her immobility and spent a lot of time on the floor. With the wheelchair she can now rest a little more and will be able to enter Kindergarten this year.

Reina is very thankful to God and those that made it possible for her to have this blessing, because now her dream will be a reality and she can learn to read, write and prepare for her life.

“Right Bus, Right Time.” Distribution Report from Malawi!

2011-02-09T15:59:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Malawi.

I was on the way from the Namikango Mission to Thyolo. I got out of the truck that had given me a ride, and almost immediately a minibus stopped directly in front of me. The conductor asked where I was going. This bus was going the same direction. I was not in a hurry to jump into the bus, as I had not eaten anything since morning and it was nearly 5.00 P.M. I was really hungry, and I wanted something to eat before proceeding another 56 kilometers.

The minibus conductor needed the fare, so he pleaded for me to jump into his bus. The man even decreased the bus fare by 10%. Still I felt I should not jump into that bus. I went to a nearby grocery to get something to eat. There would be many more buses, and I was certain I would still get a lift on another bus.

I went to the shop, taking my time. Finally it was time to go outside and find a ride. A few meters from the shop another minibus drove up and stopped. A man from this bus was trying to persuade me to jump into his bus, and the conductor who had talked to me earlier came to where I was standing, and pleaded that I go on his bus. I could not believe this minibus had been waiting for me all this time. I felt that I had no option but to yield to the man who had waited for me, and even lowered his fare by 10%. As soon as I was on board the bus started off. There had only been room for one more passenger. Little did I know of the importance of what the conductor had done, or the importance of my decision to choose this particular bus out of all of those who were passing along the road that night.

After traveling for 12 kilometers, the bus stopped, and some people got off. There was someone sitting next to me who also getting off at this point, and this gave me an opportunity to be closer to a man who had been two spaces away from me. The bus started up and sped to another stopping point.

At this location, the man on my right hand got off the bus. It was only then that I realized the man was crippled. He crawled out of the bus on his hands and knees, and continued on his hands and knees into the people milling around. I watched in disbelief. In moments I knew the reason behind my entire trip was being summarized by the crawling, crippled man.

I had left my place early in the morning on the way to Namikango to collect some wheelchairs for crippled people. The wheelchairs had been handed over to me by the good graces of the Malawi Project, the Namikango Mission, and the Free Wheelchair Mission. While I was thinking of trips to villages looking for people who would benefit from these wheelchairs, just there right before my eyes someone was crawling. The message was clear.

I immediately requested that the minibus driver stop for a few more minutes, while I rushed after the crippled man. I obtained the particulars of his physical address, and contact number for his next of kin. There was little time to chat but I assured him that I was going to come and visit him in the near future. As I got back into the bus I could not help but thank the Lord whom I felt had sent His angels to persuade me to catch that particular minibus.

Three weeks later, I had managed to organize transport, and picked up a wheelchair to deliver to the crippled man, a Mr. M. Chamba. We drove right to the place he had been dropped the day I met him. I looked around, searching for him, and eventually found his wife. The poor woman did not know what it was that I had for him, but in faith they sent someone with a bicycle to fetch her husband and bring him to a shopping center. The van I had used had been parked next to a supermarket.

Mr. Chamba arrived, little suspecting who it was that wanted to see him. I reminded him where we had met, and that I had assured him I was going to visit him. He had no words and gazed in disbelief as I handed him the gift of a wheelchair from The Malawi Project.

Dr. Smith Chibaka & Richard Stephens

Mr. M Chamba and his wife -Bvumbwe,

Malawi

2011-02-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Liberia.

LEM is pleased to present a report of its recent distribution of wheelchairs in Liberia, West Africa. During this past Christmas season, families, friends, loved ones, and the recipients rejoiced and praised the Lord for providing mobility to the disabled.

This report will focus on Little Dixon Buu.

Little Dixon Buu, now 8 years old, has been disabled since his birth.

The parents had no means of seeking medical attention for Dixon.

Little Dixon has been crawling in the dust wherever he goes around his home. Dixon’s parent had not even dreamed of any means of providing a wheelchair for him.

Dixon had the desire to move around the community and have fun with other children. Dixon had the desire to one day go to school; but the reality was so far away.

On December 26, one day after Christmas, the story changed for Little Dixon, his parents, family members and the community. I cannot hold back my tears as I imagined the event when the parents saw as Dixon was lifted from the dust and helped into his wheelchair.

His joyful mother, (in red & black lappa-suit dress) said,

“I am happy because my son will no longer be crawling in the dust.”

She and many others praised the Lord for this wonderful gift.

Wheelchair inflames the thirst to live in a mother’s heart.

2011-01-25T16:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful, testimony straight from Vietnam

“I will spend the rest of my life to travel to look for my son”, the poor old woman said to me with her smiley eyes which rised up my incident curiosity.

More questions were made during her confidence. Her name is Huynh Thi Phuong, 71 years old. She has three sons but living alone right now. Her eldest son died in his teenage years for heart disease. The second one died six years ago also with the same reason. The old poor mother shared while her hands kept wiping the tears fighting to fall down on her weather-beaten face. “My youngest son is the only reason keeps me to live this life. The sorrow of time after time watching my dear children leaving seemed to kill me but I wasn’t satisfied to leave my youngest boy lived his invalid life lonely to death. My son is 27. He is born with cerebral palsy. He cannot talk properly but can walk limpingly. He also has mental problem so he forgets me sometimes. I can’t count how many times he left home and I had to strenuously to find him. Last year he left home again. I had to go everywhere to look for him. One day while I was wandering on a street looking on every single of its alleys like a crazy person to look for my son, I got hit by a motorbike and my kneecaps broke. I cannot walk properly since the accident. Over a month lying on the hospital bed I have tried to kill myself many times but not successful. Following the advice of the doctors and the kind patients in the same room I decided to carry on to keep looking for my little son. After leaving the hospital I tried to practise walking everyday with a feeble hope as my old age makes my bone unable to get a good recovery. Lately, people in the village told me there would be some charitable organization coming to give wheelchairs for free has inflamed the thirst of living in my heart. With a wheelchair I will keep travel to look for my son.

Thank you very much for such meaningful and giant help of your organization”.

It is so moved by the example of a piteous mother lives and dies for her children. And it’s so proud to know that our wheelchair has become a real gift of mobility and a fellow-traveler to take the poor miserable mother on over her road to look for her missing child. I said good luck to the woman, gave her a big hug and my number so that she can call to let me know when she finds her son.

GEN_2 Distribution Report from Vietnam!

2011-01-18T14:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much to our partner in the field for this powerful testimony straight from Vietnam!

The first day of the wheel chair Gen-2 distribution has brought me a uncanny eagerness with different emotions when I listened to the confidences of the recipients.

Finishing the interview with the old woman I suddenly met with a very beautiful smile of a young boy. I thought he was just about 6 or 7 years but he was actually 10.

I said Hello to the boy when he was even giving me a bigger smile and turned it into

a real big laugh.

Speaking lispingly with an innocent face, the boy told me

“I love wheel chair. I love going out with brother and friends”.

The face with full of excitement of the boy made my heart became so heavy and hurt.

Looking to my side, Chanh’s mother Phan with a face of tears told me

“His limbs are paralyzed but his brain is not. He understands everything. He knows how hard I am trying to take care of our little family. He loves going to school like other children but never tells me because he knows I cannot afford it. I’m just a poor single mother with two children. My two children, my 80 year -old mother and I have been living with a very small income from the farming work. In 2005 Chanh had a wheelchair from a charitable organization but it was broken after 2 years. 2007 he had the second one and it also got broke. I am so poor that I can’t buy him a new one so over a year now he has been longing for this chance.

Chan is a very good boy. Although he is disabled, he never forgets that he is the oldest son in the family. He always takes the initiative in doing everything he can manually do to help me like feeding himself, toileting and chasing chickens from eating our drying rice.

I wish my team could do more to help her but our ability is limited. So I just hoped the wheelchair would at least help her son to do what he has been longing to over the past year. And I know it surely does when I saw the boy with full excitement on his new chair.

A Moment For Haiti

2011-01-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

Free Wheelchair Mission wishes to take this moment to honor the people of Haiti. On the anniversary of the quake that so profoundly impacted the future of this island nation, we recognize, admire, and applaud the courage and fortitude of the Haitian people. We humbly pledge to continue ongoing support of healing and recovery efforts through the transforming gift of mobility, now and in the years to come.

FWM Distribution Report: Philippines

2010-12-29T10:02:00.000-08:00

SarinaE. Estacio

Age: 19 years old

Case: Paralyzed body due to polio

and overdose of medicines

Seven years ago, Sarina was a normal 11-year old girl in Barangay, Dos Hermanas, Talisay City. She was a pictureof an ordinary daughter living a normal life, going to elementary school as aregular pupil and excited to go to high school, since she was a graduatingstudent. Together with her father, mother , and 3 brothers, they had a normal life and everythingwas fine until one evening.

She was brought to thehospital, to Riverside Medical Centerin Bacolod City because she had a fever. When theyarrived there, the doctor ordered to inject her certain medication. Secondsafter the injection, she went into a cardiac arrest; she was brought to theintensive care unit, went into 50-50 and almost lost her life. It was not clearwhat solution was injected; what’s clear is that it was a case of medicalmalpractice. From there on, her life was and forever will be changed.

Her condition now isvery depressing and outrageous. Her whole body, arms and legs became paralyzed.She stopped going to school and stayed at home all the time. She can’t even speak and express what is onher mind. She lost her independence, her dignity and an essence of what life is.Because of that terrible medical mistake, she virtually lost hope to reach herdreams, succeed in life and help her family out of the web of poverty.

For her, life is almosthopeless, useless and gloomy. Until now, his father who works at a sugarcentral in Negros Occidental (Visayas Island) is still paying fromhis monthly salary deductions for the expenses they incurred in the hospital,which total more than one million pesos (USD 22,500). Her mother spends all ofher time taking care and meeting her needs.

Last July, ChildrenInternational – Philippines, Inc. and Free Wheelchair Mission turned over onewheelchair through the Local Government of Talisay City. Certainly, a wheelchaircannot bring back the lost dreams and resources. Surely, a wheelchair cannotbring back everything to normal as life was seven years ago. However, thatsingle piece of metal with wheels from generous sponsors delivered a simple,but yet profound message to Sarina’s family and to Sarina herself: a message ofcare, charity and compassion.

Staff Bio #3 - Tony Luna

2010-08-16T10:40:00.000-07:00

Hello! My name is Tony Luna and I’m a development officer at Free Wheelchair Mission. My main role is to help donors find new and meaningful ways of impacting the lives of wheelchair recipients. I also work on new product development and creating marketing strategies. I have been with Free Wheelchair Mission for over two years and have been working in the international non-profit sector for 13 years.

My wife Heidi and I have been married for 4 years (this November…I thought I should put that in just in case my wife thought I didn’t remember), and have a one-year old little boy named Oliver. We enjoy traveling to different parts of the world to experience other cultures and their traditions. I also enjoy playing basketball and watching sports, especially the Chicago Bulls, Cubs and Da Bears.

I am looking forward to the fall when I will be traveling to Tanzania to distribute wheelchairs with some of our donors.

2010-07-17T11:16:00.000-07:00

Not a Fan Yet? Join Us Today!
$5920 will be donated if we reach 5,920 fans by July 31.

That's 100 Wheelchairs!

Just click on the "Like" icon in the FB FAN BOX to the right.

Staff Bio #2 - Mike Kenyon

2010-07-09T13:40:00.000-07:00

Hi, My name is Mike Kenyon and I’m the Pastor of Church Development at Free Wheelchair Mission. My role is to help churches get involved around the country in the cause of mobility. My primary role is to work with Pastors to determine how best they can engage their people. So, we offer curriculum to educate and give support to volunteers who want to tell other people about Free Wheelchair Mission.

This summer we launched a curriculum for families called, “And Away We Go- an adventure in love, compassion and action.” This 5 lesson teaching resource is being used by dozen of churches for their vacation bible school programs this summer. Really fun stuff.

My wife Allison and I have been married for 10 years (this summer) and have two young children: Austin and Kylie. We love to spend time with other families in our neighborhood, go to Yogurtland and have picnics at the beach. I enjoy playing basketball and tennis. I’m even getting more involved with acting again (as a little side hobby), entering my 12th year as a member of the Screen Actors Guild.

Next week I leave for Sri Lanka to give away wheelchairs for the first time. I can’t wait!!!!

2nd Annual Fajita Festival Dances to Success

2010-06-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Though Las Cruces, NM was fiery hot as far as the weather was concerned, it didn’t keep people away from enjoying the amazing festivities planned which included folklorico dancers, mariachi bands, a native Indian dance, singers, magicians, a bounce house, and good food for the 2nd Annual Fajita Fiesta in the Mesilla Plaza.

We were honored to be welcomed by the Mayor of Mesilla, Nora Barazza, as well as Miss Teen New Mexico, Victoria Padilla, as they stood alongside the wheelchairs while the local ROTC had a presentation of the flags. The local Ambassador for the area, Dennis Prickett, was also alongside to encourage donations along with Alyson Roth, Development Manager, from the Free Wheelchair Mission in Irvine, CA.

The rich history of Mesilla and the entire Las Cruces area of New Mexico makes it a great place to visit, but their contagious philanthropic passion for Free Wheelchair Mission is what makes it even more exciting. To date, the community has raised over $90,000 to help give wheelchairs to those in Mexico, and they are currently working on getting more wheelchairs across the border to those in need.

Free Wheelchair Mission is extremely proud of the successful weekend (June 12-13th) and looks forward to lifting more people up off the ground in Mexico for the low cost of $59.20 – and the recipient gets the wheelchair for free! Thank you, Las Cruces, for continuing to bless other people through your gifts, talents, and volunteerism!

To make a donation towards their efforts, please visit their FUNDRAISING PAGE HERE.

FWM on the ground in Haiti - Team of 6 assembles chairs

2010-05-26T20:04:00.000-07:00

A mission trip to Haiti made up of Free Wheelchair Mission supporters and friends is now in Port-au-Prince and working side-by-side with our distribution partner Operation Blessing International. The group of six, led by long time volunteer and supporter, Bill Rice, arrived in the Dominican Republic on May 21st and drove across the border into Haiti on the 22nd where they are now busy assembling and distributing wheelchirs.

Their trip has not been without a few surprises along the way – for one, the container of wheelchairs they were scheduled to meet and distribute was held up at the border and did not make it across in time, due to changes in import requirements.

However, thankfully, FWM partner Operation Blessing International had just cleared a container of wheelchairs this week as well, and the FWM mission group was invited to join the people of OBI in assembling and distributing wheelchairs Thursday and Friday.

Also on the trip, photographers Jason Carr and Krystof Andres are accompanying the mission; the two are volunteering their time and paying their own way, not only assisting with the wheelchair distributions, but lending their talents to FWM by documenting the trip and providing quality high definition footage of the mission trip. The videos Jason and Krystof create will help spread the word about the ongoing need in Haiti, and inform supporters of the FWM mission to providing Haitians with thousands more wheelchairs over the next several years.

Generous Donor Pledges $5,920 for 5,920 Fans!

2010-05-11T16:00:00.000-07:00

Free Wheelchair Mission wants YOU…

to tell all your friends about FWM!

Help us send 100 free wheelchairs
around the world!

Here’s the deal:

If we reach 5920 fans by 7/31/10,

a generous donor will gift us $5920.00!

(That’s 100 wheelchairs!!)

5920 fans = $5920.00 = 100 wheelchairs!

What easier way to lift a hundred people
into a clean and sturdy wheelchair?

Go to our FACEBOOK PAGE,

click on “SUGGEST TO FRIENDS”
and send mobility around the world!

A great evening for a great cause - save the date - May 16th!

2010-05-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

An inexhaustible team of Vietnamese Americans and Vietnamese is once again coming together to provide an entire shipment of wheelchairs to those in need in southern Vietnam!

Project Xe Lan Tinh Thuong is the name of a powerhouse humanitarian group located in Orange County, California, that works to serve the disabled in Vietnam. At last year’s inaugural fundraising dinner, the group raised enough money for Free Wheelchair Mission to send hundreds of wheelchairs overseas, and provided mobility for people in many regions of southern Vietnam:

This year, the group is back and more enthusiastic than ever. Their goal? To beat last year’s total, and raise TWO containers of wheelchairs! That’s 1100 wheelchairs, and 1100 people to be gifted with the “transforming gift of mobility” thanks to Project Xe Lan Tinh Thuong.

You can be a part of this inspirational evening!

2nd Annual Dinner Fundraiser hosted by Project Xe Lan Tinh Thuong.
Sunday May 16, 2010
5:00PM – 10:00PM

Mon Cheri Restaurant
3510 West Lincoln Avenue
Anaheim, California 92801

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling (714) 418-2499 or 949-306-2873.

Making a Difference in Haiti, Camera in Hand

2010-05-03T12:36:00.000-07:00

Jason Carr and his friend, Krystof Andres, are leaving for Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in less than a month. The two will be part of a Free Wheelchair Mission group that will assemble and distribute 1,100 desperately needed free wheelchairs in six days to the people of Haiti.

But Jason and Krystof have a different primary agenda. They have chosen to document their experiences with the mission as well as the current situation in Port-au-Prince, and for that, they will be taking some serious video equipment with them. Through the use of high-definition video and still photography, the two will film as much as possible, hoping to help the Haitian people, and to show the world the power of a simple chair with four wheels.

“I’m so committed to this cause,” Jason said. “If I have any skills at all that can help lift people off the ground, then this is going to be one of the most amazing and important things I do in my lifetime.”

Jason is a self-proclaimed handyman, and a professional cameraman. He intends to wear both hats for duration of his journey.

“If you would have asked me last year or five years ago, what I want to be when I grow up, I would have said that I want to travel the world, and I want to document nature and culture,” Jason said with a wide, gap-toothed grin and childlike enthusiasm.

“I’ve always wanted to give back,” Jason said. “It feels good to combine giving with what it is I enjoy doing.”

But time is not the only thing that is required of Jason on this trip, and the costs are quickly adding up.

“Project Lifted is just a name I assigned to what I’m doing to raise money to go on the trip, to help build and distribute the chairs and document everything,” Jason said.

Jason and Krystof have started a website, http://fwm.kintera.org/projectlifted to help support their expenses, and to raise money for twenty-five additional wheelchairs. Jason and his friends are also organizing several upcoming fundraising events in Long Beach and Santa Monica.

“Just watch the videos; look at the Free Wheelchair Mission’s YouTube channel. Look at the slideshows. It’s one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen,” Jason said. “And to think that I’m going to be part of that? It’s the best. Knowing that I have skills that I can lend to help these people, that’s what it’s about.”

To help with Jason’s cause, log on to http://www.projectlifted.org/. Learn more by joining the Project Lifted Facebook page and sign up to follow the two on Twitter. You can also visit Jason and Krystof at the Basement Lounge in Long Beach on May 8, World Café in Santa Monica on May 11, or go to www.freewheelchairmission.org to learn more about the wheelchairs and the organization.

Krystof Andres (left) and Jason Carr (right) sit in front of the Project Lifted Installation they made at a small gallery on 4th and Cherry in Long Beach, CA.

United As One - Making a Difference

2010-04-20T12:21:00.000-07:00

Free Wheelchair Mission thanks UPS for the band of friendly and hardworking volunteers that journeyed to our Irvine offices a few weeks ago!

Volunteers had a couple of important jobs they covered during this visit – one group worked on finishing up an important volume of correspondence, creating a good bit of support for our office management staff.

For another group, building wheelchairs was the order for the day, and their assembly skills were most appreciated as they were able to assemble 20 wheelchairs!

The UPS volunteer activities covered two days, and the atmosphere of general good cheer that accompanied their presence was most definitely appreciated.

Project Lifted

2010-04-20T11:20:00.000-07:00

The following was posted online by a woman helping her nephew's endeavor to promote FWM.

My nephew, Jason Carr, and six other volunteers have joined hands with FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION to help build and distribute 1,100 free wheelchairs in Haiti. They are leaving Southern California 5/21/2010. Jason will also be filming and photographing the mission in an effort to help Free Wheelchair Mission reach their goal of providing 8,000 free wheelchairs to the crush victims of Haiti's recent and devastating earthquake.

They would greatly appreciate your support in their venture to transform lives through mobility! THIS IS AN UNFUNDED TRIP FOR THEM, AND THEY NEED YOUR HELP. There will be a benefit at a local venue TBA later this week. They need donations to help fund the trip as well as contributions for a raffle. Please help in providing a significant humanitarian impact to an area that has suffered far too much.

Please contact Jason @ 714.458.6896
email: jason@projectlifted.org
follow them at http://www.projectlifted.org/

DONATE HERE

(The Donate Link goes to the group's own fundraising page to support their travel expenses.)

Two Feet, 200 Miles, 200 Lives Changed

2010-04-09T09:55:00.000-07:00

(…we asked Ambassador Ryan Dexter from Wisconsin if we could share his story about running, life, faith…and the quest for wheelchairs: )

“I’m upping the stakes and running for a reason this May - a 200 mile trail run through the Green Mountains of Vermont. I’ve been preparing for this adventure for years – now that I’m running for wheelchairs, it’s even more important to get the word out.

So here’s how I became an Ambassador for Free Wheelchair Mission – I’d been thinking about my race and how I could make it into something that would help others. I learned about FWM when my church did an offering last Christmas. At the time, I didn’t think much about wheelchairs, or how hard it would be to survive without one. I have to draw attention to this! It’s just inhumane that people that have to crawl when there’s a wheelchair that can be provided for under sixty bucks.

I’ll have a great crew helping me out this May, but the 200 miles we are attempting to run is nothing compared to what many people have to do each and every day of their lives. We’re going to suffer for what, maybe 48 hours? Put that up against a lifetime of pain – there’s really no comparison.

Now, this is a race and we are in it to win it, but I am bolder than ever knowing that I’ll be running while raising money for Free Wheelchair Mission. My goal is to WIN, and to raise enough funds for a wheelchair for every mile we are running! I’ll run the miles, but I’ll need your help with the wheelchairs! That’s 200 miles to go and 200 wheelchairs to raise. I definitely think we can do it! Let’s make a difference in 200 lives around the world.”

Thank you!
Ryan Dexter, Ambassador for Mobility

Help Ryan raise 200 wheelchairs!

http://fwm.kintera.org/dexterthepunisher

Making an Impact Around the Globe!

2010-04-06T13:19:00.000-07:00

Free Wheelchair Mission was presented with a check for $15,000 at the inaugural awards ceremony of Impact Giving, Orange County’s newest collective nonprofit. Held at the Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa on April 1, FWM was among several worthy causes honored by this dynamic, newly-formed philanthropy.

Since its inception, Impact Giving has attracted over 100 supporters willing to pledge $1,000 annually in support. With goals to “engage, educate and empower,” the all-female organization works to effect positive social change on a local, national and global scale.

Success is a key requirement for award allocations, according to Carol Olson, founding board member and policy chair of Impact Giving. “We require the grant applicants to provide measurable objectives and proof of effectiveness,” she said. “We carefully review each nominee and even examine their financial records as part of our decision-making process.”

“We are grateful for this gift,” said Stuart Nichols, Executive Director of FWM. “What an honor to be a part of Impact Giving’s first grant season!”

To learn more about Impact Giving, please go to http://www.impactgivingnow.org/

He was injured during his rescue when a pick ax went through his foot

2010-04-05T17:10:00.000-07:00

Our partner Christian Aid Ministries took some wheelchairs they had stored at their U.S. facilities into Haiti – here’s a brief recipient story:

March 25-29, 2010 From the Field (Titanyen, Haiti)

Patrico was the first patient at our recovery hospital. He was trapped and then injured during his rescue when a pick axe went through his foot. People were dying around him, and he saw the rescuers chop off the foot of his friend to save him. He is one of the first injured persons in Haiti to receive a FWM wheelchair.

For faraway places, That we do not know, Have reached out their hearts, And replenished our souls

2010-04-02T13:44:00.000-07:00

We open hundreds of inquiry emails a year here at FWM – people asking about how to get a wheelchair, how to give a donation, how to change a mailing address, a plethora of queries essential to our work and important to our mission …but every once in a while we receive an email that truly takes our breath away, and reminds us once again why we do what we do.

Received in our office 3/30/10:

For our names make no difference,
But we are all the same,
Countries of war,
or birth defects,
or natural disasters,
Have taken away,
Our abilities to walk,
For the most amazing thing happened,
This fine and glorious day,
A miracle came our way,
As the trucks pulled into our village,
We all gathered around,
To see what was going on,
To our amazement,
Boxes and boxes of things,
Unloaded,
"What could they be?"
For the driver got out,
And went to my son,
Picking him up off the ground,
He put him in a chair that had wheels on it,
The tears rolled down his face and mine,
Able after 14 years to move around,
Not for the young,
But also the old,
Sobbing and tear of joy rang out,
GOD has come to help us out.
For faraway places,
That we do not know,
Have reached out their hearts,
And replenished our souls.
Please if you find it in your heart Check out this web site, And clear your doubt. www.freewheelchairmission.org

Blessing to you all!
SH 03/30/10

Reaching people who really had less than any of us could ever imagine

2010-03-31T10:16:00.000-07:00

I wanted to tell you a quick story about how our recent donation of $500 was made to your organization.

My parents passed away this year without much notice to us just about 3 months apart after 55 years of marriage. They were the shining light and love that guided their four children and 10 grandchildren. Knowing that this holiday would be sad my brothers and I decided the best way to cope with Christmas and our loss was to give to others. We gifted each grandchild $500 but they had to choose a charity and donate the funds in memory of their grandparents. My daughter, the oldest grandchild wrote the following:

“Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you about an organization I would like to donate the money to. I had a few organizations in mind but none of the ones I was thinking about seemed to reach people who really had less than any of us could ever imagine. I began to think about what kinds of non profits I would like to donate to and I knew that I wanted to find a Christian organization that was based in Christ but also met the physical needs of people.

"I am in the health care field so I began to do some research about Christian Healthcare based ministries. I had never heard of this organization before but I would like to donate my money to Free Wheelchair Mission. They make and deliver wheelchairs free of charge to people who need wheelchairs all over the world but have never had one before. Having a wheelchair could change a person’s life who was paralyzed or couldn’t walk, they could get a job, learn a skill or care for their family. The ministry makes wheelchairs out of plastic lawn chairs and other normal wheelchair parts and gives them to people who can’t afford a wheelchair. The chairs cost only 50 dollars to make a ship so 500 dollars could pay for 10 chairs and change 10 people’s lives. Thank you so much for this opportunity - I am excited to share why I chose this charity with the rest of the family! The website is www.freewheelchairmission.org "

Love, Christa

God Bless - Celeste

This story is from one of our supporters.

They cannot afford to buy a wheelchair, so they wait

2010-03-15T13:29:00.000-07:00

Vietnam is a beautiful country with even more beautiful people. There is so much need - the need for food, adequate shelter and the great need for wheelchairs. From children suffering the effects of Agent Orange, to elderly men and women who are no longer mobile, those in need of a chair are waiting. They cannot afford to buy a wheelchair, so they wait. By God's grace, we are able to help them in this way.

I spoke with several women about my own age (26), who told me that they lost the use of their legs when they got a fever as a child. They are so happy with their new wheelchair. They keep patting my hands and kissing my cheek. Except for the language barrier, they are just like my friends in America. The joy written on the faces of those who receive the wheelchairs speak more loudly than any language can convey. The joy on the faces of the caregivers speak just loudly.

We traveled far to the south in the Mekong Delta about 30 miles from the Cambodian border. The landscape is cut by rivers every few hundred feet and boat is the main form of transportation. The bus had to drive aboard a barge to cross the river at its widest point. There are so many people traveling by motorbike cris-crossing the small lanes. Many live in very remote areas only accessible by boat.

Our distribution partners are truly amazing people. Without their hard work and dedication, the wheelchairs could not reach their intended destination.

Those of us who have much should take the opportunity to help those who have little.

FWM staffer Ashley Herron is travelling with a distribution trip Vietnam, having recently joined a mission group from the Vineyard Church from Wheeling, West Virginia.

FWM Friends Send Hearts Around the World!

2010-03-12T13:55:00.000-08:00

Recently, we enjoyed sending out our first ever "Hearts Around the World" Valentine celebration - our hope was to provide a sweet opportunity to send a personal message of love and encouragement directly into the hands of a wheelchair recipient. The outreach was a great success! We have now received a full "container" of Valentines, that's 550 hearts full of love, tallied up and ready to go.

Classroom and Sunday school groups had great fun with the project! Here are some photos from Shorelife Church of Huntington Beach, California. Organizers incorporated it into their Valentine's Day Bonanza, with the children decorating cards and signing them for wheelchair recipients.

Emily Barr, Shorelife's children's director, said, "We had 28 children and 16 volunteers and the kids just had a blast! We combined the Valentines with cookie decorating, crafts, games and a fun little devotional. They had a fun time decorating the cards with stickers and rhinestones and signing their names. We would definitely do this again!"

Thanks to all of you that participated in the Free Wheelchair Mission "Hearts Around the World" Valentine celebration. Because of your support and encouragement, over 500 future wheelchair recipients will be gifted with the warmth of a personalized note, and reminded that somebody cares!

Being on the other side of the world

2010-03-07T15:28:00.000-08:00

Being on the other side of the world is showing me many things but one seems more basic than any other: Life is in the small moments. There are the huge moments in life - graduation, birth of a child - but it is the mosaic of all the small moments, going to the park or tending a vegetable garden, that truly make up our lives.

We gave away 100 chairs at a school for students with disabilities in Nha Trang.

Nguyen Thi Kim Loan is 16 years old though he looks about 6. His grandmother Hong tells us that he has a birth defect. Hong and her daugther-in-law brought Loan to receive a free wheelchair today. She says that she is very happy. Now that she has the wheelchair, she will no longer have to carry him. She was getting worried because he is getting heavy. Now she says that they can push him to the park every afternoon in his new wheelchair.

Van Hoa is 33 years old. he cam to the distribution by himself on the back of a motorbike taxi. His family lives far away and was not at the ceremony. He said that he is very happy to get a wheelchair. I was able to share with him that this wheel chair is a gift from God. Please pray for Van Hoa, that he will truly know that God loves him.

This gentleman lost his leg from a bomb during the war. He told me that this wheelchair is the first gift he has received in 30 years. He loves to work in his garden and makes his living selling its vegetables. Now, he said he will have a much easier time tending his garden and will sell more vegetables.

The work of FWM allows people to experience all the small moments.

FWM staffer Ashley Herron is travelling with a distribution trip Vietnam, having recently joined a mission group from the Vineyard Church from Wheeling, West Virginia.

Staff member joins group distributing wheelchairs in Vietnam

2010-03-06T13:05:00.000-08:00

March 4, 2010

Hooray - finally here! Vu and several of his students met me at the airport this afternoon. It is very warm but there is a nice cool breeze too. Checked in at the hotel and then headed over to the Night Market with Vu and a student for dinner (Vietnamese spring rolls - great recommendation, Michael!). The rest of the team arrives at 10:30 so I will meet them in the morning.

We're heading to Nha Trang tomorrow to give away 100 chairs - my first actual distribution!

I am so stoked!

Ash (Ashley Herron - FWM Events Coordinator)

-------------------------------------------------

March 5, 2010

Traveling is always an adventure. Traveling for FWM is the adventure of a lifetime. It is a privilege to go to the other side of the world to serve those in need. But most of all it's a privilege to get to know people - the people of Vietnam, our partners, the team from WV, and ultimately the recipients of the chairs themselves.

On my first flight, I met a gentleman who had never heard about FWM, but by the time our flight was done, he was inspired to learn that only $59.20 provides a wheelchair and transforms a life. Meeting our partner Vu and his students was an unqualified blessing. I am beyond thrilled to get to know them this week. Their excitement to serve is infectious.

We are all a part of this journey no matter what part it is we play.

Ash

FWM staffer Ashley Herron is travelling with a distribution trip Vietnam, having recently joined a mission group from the Vineyard Church from Wheeling, West Virginia.

Earthquake Devastates Chile

2010-03-02T19:30:00.000-08:00

As you have heard, an 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country of Chile early Saturday morning. Free Wheelchair Mission has been active in the region for many years - just this week we spotlighted Stephen and Grace Colon, our dear friends and distribution partners in Santiago, in the Friday Story (to read, please click here). We have talked to Stephen and Grace and they and their staff are safe. The country is paralyzed at the moment. There is no power and no water. Please keep them in your prayers, all Chile in your prayers. They will need even more of everything we can provide for them, including wheelchairs. Free Wheelchair Mission will be actively assessing how we can continue to serve the people of Chile during this trying time and will keep you informed.

God Bless, Don

Slideshow of recent trip to Chile

The Need Continues in Haiti - What we are doing

2010-02-15T10:24:00.000-08:00

1. Two containers are being readied for Global Missions, our partner in Port-au-Prince.

2. Our partner in the Dominican Republic, Fundacion Romanese, distributed 100 wheelchairs into Haiti within days of the quake. Check out the blog to learn more at www.freewheelchairmission.org/blog. Routing wheelchair through the DR has been quick and efficient and FWM continues to support Haiti’s island neighbors with two more containers on the way.

3. Direct Relief International included 200 wheelchairs with a shipment of medical relief.

4. Operation Blessing International requested and will receive one container.

5. Christian Aid Ministries requested to import a container into their U.S. warehouse, to be included in upcoming weeks with relief teams into the region.

6. Caribbean Medical Transport has requested for a container – while details are being determined, more containers are on order that will be available for immediate assignment for Haiti.

7. FWM is organizing a mission team for mid-April to assist Fundacion Romanese.

8. Giving Children Hope will receive 100 wheelchairs from our U.S. warehouse to join a container planned for early March.

What a weekend - what a day!

2010-02-10T14:31:00.000-08:00

This year’s Run for Mobility was an unforgettable event, not only for participants, volunteers and staff that braved the inclement weather – but for the over 3,000 people living with a disability that will now be provided with a brand new wheelchair! R4M fundraisers worked above and beyond, bringing in over $200,000 for wheelchair relief and raising awareness of disability issues around the globe.

Rain showers were the order of the day Friday and Saturday, but the enthusiasm of the Surf City USA ® Marathon could not be washed away and it was business as usual for the thousands of runners showing up to pick up their packets and enjoy the expo. Saturday night featured camaraderie and connection at the highly anticipated Fundraiser Appreciation Dinner event – held this year at the Huntington Beach Public Library, the evening featured good company, delicious food, and a chance to celebrate mobility.

And when Sunday morning dawn bright and early, the participants were rewarded with blue skies, brilliant sunshine, and a perfect course! The 26.2 milers were the first to go with a 6:30 starting time, followed by the 5K at 6:50 and the half at 7:45. Saving the best for last, the Kids Run kicked off at 8:45 to great excitement. It was another superb event for the Surf City USA ® Marathon, enjoying a record 20,200 runners from all 50 states and eight countries...and a crowd of over 40,000 cheering them on. For full results, visit www.runraceresults.com and click on Surf City USA Marathon. Additional marathon information can be found at http://www.runsurfcity.com/.

Free Wheelchair Mission enjoyed the chance to congratulate the runners after they came across the finish line and to thank their fundraisers for all their hard work and dedication to the cause.

To all that ran, walked, rolled, and fundraised...thank you again for a very successful Run for Mobility 2010! (To see more photos from this year’s event or to find out about fundraising through R4M in 2011, go to the FWM home page and click on Run for Mobility.)

More wheelchairs sighted amongst the devastation

2010-02-04T17:00:00.000-08:00

First photos since January’s earthquake have finally reached FWM – from Eddie, our partner in the Dominican Republic, came these posted images of the devastation, and of the wheelchair sightings.

We will continue to update you with photos and stories as relief flows into the region – need for wheelchairs and all medical intervention will remain a predominant call for action in months and years to come in the wake of this humanitarian crisis.

Wheelchairs Roll In from the Dominican Republic

2010-02-01T13:45:00.000-08:00

Eddie is a Free Wheelchair Mission partner in the Dominican Republic with Fundación Universitaria Romanense.

We just came back from Haiti a few hours ago. The situation overthere is really chaotic; it may take years for things to get back to a livable state of being; provided of course that Haiti gets real support from the international community to rebuild Port of Prince.

We took one hundred wheelchairs with us, and distributed them all. Some went directly to individuals in need and the balance to a couple of institutions and then on to the wounded.

Yes, as far as sending some containers that we can forward to Haiti, definitely, and I believe we have to do it as soon as we can.

God blesses you every second!
Eddie

Wheelchairs Rolling in Haiti

2010-01-28T17:27:00.001-08:00

We all know the ancient Chinese proverb, that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” When overwhelmed with a seemingly dauntless task ahead, this calming bit of wisdom reminds us to set our course, lean into the wind, and step out in faith.

This week, first photos from the field arrived, encouragement from friends of Free Wheelchair Mission, images of wheelchairs on the move, bringing some small relief to those who have suffered so much.

To date, approximately 100 wheelchairs have already been distributed. Another 200 wheelchairs are en route, via Direct Relief International, slated to arrive in country soon. Two full containers will soon leave Shanghai for the Dominican Republic, where they will be unloaded and trucked over the border and into Haiti. And, three of our current distribution partners are arranging logistics for more containers to be delivered to this hurting island nation.

It is not enough. But it is a start.

The first step is always the hardest. And so, we do today what ancient wisdom would prescribe. Set a course. Lean into the wind. Step out in faith.

Pray for Haiti.

One container arrived in Vietnam

2010-01-27T13:39:00.000-08:00

During this past week a container of 550 wheelchairs was delivered in Viet Nam. To date 51,150 wheelchairs have been distributed by our partners in this friendly country.

From Viet Nam

Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive Act

2010-01-26T10:02:00.001-08:00

Thanks to you, over $89,000 has been raised to date for emergency wheelchair relief to Haiti! And, thanks to the folks on Capitol Hill, a piece of tax deduction legislation has been passed by both houses of Congress to allow Americans to deduct their charitable donations to Haiti relief from their 2009 tax returns.* Now, every donation to Haiti through 2/28/10 can be claimed for 2009, giving Americans even more encouragement to give generously in the face of this humanitarian crisis.

*To learn more about the Haiti Assistance Income Tax Incentive Act, go to http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-01-21/early-tax-deduction-for-haiti-relief-passes-congress-update3-.html.

Relief is continuing to flood into Haiti

2010-01-26T10:01:00.000-08:00

Much has happened at FWM in the last two weeks. In addition to the dollars pouring in for the people of Haiti, earlier this week, volunteers and staff prepped and palletized 200 wheelchairs to be delivered from our southern California warehouse to our partner, Direct Relief International, for an upcoming air shipment into Port-au-Prince. Many thanks to transport companies CMI and MOL for providing free trucking to DRI’s headquarters in Santa Barbara. In addition, our manufacturing partner in China has donated an entire container of wheelchairs for Haiti relief. We thank them for their generosity!

Although much has been done to help the people of Haiti, far more remains to be accomplished. Sadly, with the numerous crush injuries and amputations evident as a result of this earthquake, the on-going need for a significant number of wheelchairs can not be emphasized strongly enough. FWM is committed to increasing the scheduled import of containers into Port-au-Prince. In addition to DRI, we are working to collaborate further with international partners Operation Blessing International and Samaritan’s Purse. We continue to support Fundación Universitaria Romanense, our partner in the Dominican Republic, as well as our friends at Global Missions, FWM's distribution partner in Port-au-Prince.

This process of wheelchair relief will be on-going and dynamic as we adjust to an ever-changing environment and accommodate the challenges surely waiting beyond the horizon; as a supporter of FWM, you should know that our organization is committed to long-term aid as we join the worldwide philanthropic community rallying around the people of Haiti.

Friday Wheelchair Story: Heartbreak in Haiti

2010-01-15T15:29:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

Usually I try to save the Friday Story for some good news, and to share with you stories of love and connection from the field. Today, all I can think about is our heartbreak over Haiti. Like you, we are all so concerned about the devastation Tuesday’s earthquake has wrought upon our brothers and sisters there, it is hard to know what to say. Or where to begin. Let me just share with you an email our office received last night from our distribution partner in Haiti’s island neighbor, the Dominican Republic:

Dear Don,

Please be advised that since we learned about the earthquake in Haiti we have mobilized our wheelchair distribution partners throughout the DR, and as a result of their kindness and disposition we have been able to identify one hundred wheelchairs that we can borrow from several institutions, and route them to Haiti. Hopefully we will be able to replace the borrowed chairs when our next container arrives into the DR.

We will be driving down to Haiti sometime next week. Please provide contact information of FWM partner in Haiti. We will make every conceivable effort to reach them before our arrival into Haiti.

God Blesses you every second!
Heriberto "Eddie" Marte
Fundación Universitaria Romanense

Friends, how incredibly blessed we are to live in a world that loves and cares so deeply for one another. When one of us hurts, let us all have the honor of feeling that pain just as deeply, knowing that God hears every prayer and sees every sacrifice. We are so grateful to Eddie and the people of the DR for their sacrifice – for a country suffering with chronic poverty to offer up 100 wheelchairs is a profound act of compassion, and we are grateful.

When combined with the 400 wheelchairs we believe we have currently on the ground in Haiti, the gifts from the DR will help our contacts in the region to make a significant immediate impact. Know too that we are supplying our international partners with additional wheelchairs, and will continue working to get another container into the area to aid in ongoing medical relief.

Please pray for the people of Haiti, and for those 100 disabled people in the DR who will now continue to wait as their wheelchairs travel to Port-au-Prince to bring relief to those afflicted in this crisis.

God Bless,
Don Schoendorfer
Founder and President, FWM

Friday Wheelchair Story: I always wanted to learn...

2009-11-13T09:55:00.000-08:00

I mentioned in the last blog that we met an amazing girl at a school. We met through our good friend Janette of Global Community Rising in Swandini. Athalia is 21 years old. She was born with extreme deformities in both her arms and legs. She never could walk, but she trained her arms and hands to do what she could around the home to help her poor family. Janette gave her a wheelchair about a year ago. Athalia’s sisters Zelda (13 years old) and Refilwe (14 years old) carried Athalia on their backs to get the wheelchair.

Athalia never attended school, as she had no way to get there. Their home is about 4 miles from the school. Athalia said “I always wanted to learn to read.” She cannot move the wheelchair alone, but fortunately she has a very loving family and community. Her sisters and friends push her back and forth to school every day.

Athalia started first grade, and has advanced to fourth grade already. She showed us how she learned to hold a pencil, using both her hands and arms. Slowly, patiently she forms each letter of her name; the result is beautiful. She was so proud to show us samples, a full page of her name, written many times in neatly formed letters. The page must have taken hours to complete. Her teachers were so proud of her.

A few months ago she was able to go on a field trip with her class to Kruger National Park. Athalia got a chance to see the animals that are so special to her country.

Laurie asked her what she wants to be when she gets out of school. “I have many dreams,” she said, “but right now I want to be an executive secretary.”

Friends, see what your support can do!

Greetings this Wednesday morning from SA.

2009-11-12T14:23:00.000-08:00

We are all doing well. We have covered a lot of ground this trip, lots of miles on the road. It is a Mercedes van but I believe my van “Big Blue” gives a better ride. Yesterday the AC broke down. With the windows open it is a cool ride, a lot like riding a motorcycle without a helmet. And sometimes there are significant delays. (What sort of noises do you make to coax a rhino from blocking the road?)

The team is great. Every one is looking out for the others. This shot was from a home delivery of a wheelchair.

This girl’s name is Patience. She is 17 years old. She was walking well when she was only one year old, but then got a fever. Her parents got on a bus and took her to Pretoria, the nearest big city. She hasn’t walked since. Her mother said they have tried for years to get a wheelchair. Well, today was the day!

We also stopped at a school to interview an amazing girl and boy. They will be the subject of our blog for Friday, and our Friday Story as well. Here is a great photo though to pique your interest.

Greetings from Nelspruit, the fourth largest city in South Africa - Monday

2009-11-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

We are all well and gradually adjusting to the demands of the day. There are parts that make me feel like I am on a vacation. The country is beautiful. Though we have not gone to any game parks, we see baboons, monkeys and birds and the sounds tell me this place different. We get up quite early, drive a lot in the van, and work together until it is time for bed.

Today we visited a nursing home that just received 8 more of our wheelchairs. They had 6 or so already, plus some from other organizations. They were used mainly for transporting residents within the complex. Useful for them, but we imagined others in much more need. We mentioned this to our hosts, and after a series of phone calls, they changed the direction of our trip. We drove out of Nelspruit about 30 miles to smaller city, not one with hotels and a new soccer stadium in construction, but one with very modest cinder brick and corrugated steel roof homes and dirt roads. Elliot was our local host from Nelspruit, and he grew up in this poor town.

There was no social infrastructure for the disabled. A local Rotary club built a meeting hall for the disabled. It provided a place for them to go in the daytime, to get some food, and some loving care from big-hearted volunteers in the neighborhood. Elliot assured us we would find our purpose there.

When we walked into this meeting hall, it was tough for many of us. They walls were gaily decorated, and it was clean. There were desks for those who could sit, and blankets on the cement floor for those who could not. It was well lit, but it still seemed and felt dark. Some of our team had to leave and gather strength before coming back inside. There were many tears in our team’s eyes. There were about 12 children with CP all lying in a row.

We didn’t take the time for a lot of proper introductions. Our team got right into gear. Some worked on adjusting wheelchairs, some on fitting recipients and some just loving the children. Within minutes the darkness left the room. Soon there was a parade of children pushing others, their friends from the floor, showing them things in the room they may never have seen before. It got a bit wild actually, in an intensely happy way, and this did not stop our tears.

That was what we are all about - a surprise visit to a meeting room full of disabled people. But now they have a chance for a better life.

Greetings and Happy Sunday!

2009-11-09T11:27:00.000-08:00

Our team is coming together well. It usually takes a few days to get into synchrony. This is a day of rest for us, though we had a great break with four wheelers in the back country. (Hey, even mission teams get some time off, right?)

South Africa is a beautiful country. We are unanimous in our appreciation for the beauty and the people. We run across some odd warnings. Things we would never consider in our sheltered lives in Orange County.

We are getting around in a very comfortable van with a skilled driver. The major roads in South Africa are excellent, and out of the big cities the traffic is unknown. We go off road now and then. We bounce around like clothes in the washing machine’s agitation cycle. The trailer holds our gear. Our driver is a real pro. It is easy to relax, gaze out the windows and take in the beautiful countryside.

Greetings from South Africa and Happy Saturday!

2009-11-08T19:19:00.000-08:00

Getting there is most of the battle. Even seasoned travelers can fill their heads with “what if” phantoms. I consider air travel half way around the world a miracle, and for me it is comforting to just be part of a miracle. Yet I take great delight in seeing my name held on a paper by people with smiling faces as I arrive in a new airport!

Any way you slice it, the shortest trip to South Africa is 30 hours from LA. I chose double red eye flights, and arrived in time to catch up with other members of our team, chug a triple shot of java and have a day touring Pretoria, the capital. Tourist shops feature all kinds of decoratives using various animals and animal parts. Animals still grow well here. Those in the photo are all real, stuffed, and ready to embellish your den, even the 15 foot giraffe or the 10 foot elephant.

South Africa has a very rich side and a very poor majority, with little in the middle. The cities rival major world power cities. We drove into a countryside bursting in well-watered fertile farmlands, managed by the poor living in villages. A few hours drive north took us to Dennilton and the Ndlovo Medical Center, with four doctors. The small center is the only medical service for a population of 140,000. Their focus is TB and AIDS. They had previously received a dozen of our wheelchairs, and on examination they seem very well used.

We had a 90 minute performance by children attending Youth With A Mission, also in Dennilton. Music and dance is a backbone here. The performance was really fine, About 50 of the children are orphans, AIDS having taken both parents. The school gets most of its support from the government, but the government is 10 months late in their payments. Each day the children and the staff pray for food. Each day food comes. Like I said, life in the real world.

Wheelchair distributions begin Monday.

Humanity in its Finest Moments

2009-11-03T09:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome to our mission trip blog! Eight of our greatest supporters join Laurie and me for eight days in the northern portion of South Africa. We will be in remote parts of this beautiful country. We are not sure how easy communications will be but we will attempt to communicate to you daily on our experiences. It will be easy for you to post comments for us too, and we hearing from you will be very special for us.

It is an extraordinary privilege to go on these missions. I like to tell people it is our chance to get back to the real world. This is where we see some of the finest examples of the human spirit. I will do my best to bring you with us, if only by printed words and photos.

Years ago, I heard a story about a wheelchair distribution in southern Africa. There were ten recipients to receive ten wheelchairs. All was fine, but then an eleven-year-old girl crawled out of nowhere. There was no wheelchair for her. It was sad. An elderly woman wheeled her chair over to the young girl. “You have your whole life in front of you, and mine is almost finished. You must take my wheelchair and make the best of your life now,” she said. She climbed out, and helped the young girl take her place.

Humanity in its finest moments. Our team will search for these moments, both in the South Africans we come to serve, and ourselves, and we will report them back to you.