Wheelchair Distribution

We partnered with Wheels for the World (Joni & Friends) to distribute 100 wheelchairs at a primary school at the outskirts of a neighboring city. Aided by family members, all of the recipients came to us to receive the chair donated by Joni & Friends.

These two young adults with cerebral palsy were the initial reason we approached leaders in this area to distribute wheelchairs. 

Every year, the Wheels for the World team combines compassion and professional focus to offer the best to each recipient. It is quite an honor to be involved with this team.

Halfway through our distribution week, the school (where we distributed the wheelchairs) invited me to teach the 6th graders about charitable work and the concept of receiving and giving. The students were very, very attentive.

They gave me thank you notes the next day. The notes themselves were written in Chinese, but the students had a fairly good use of English.

During recess time, many students were eager to see us. For the far majority of students, we were the first people they had ever encountered who were not Chinese.

~ Kevin

Behind the Wheels

Before a wheelchair is ever given out to a recipient, much preparation has to happen. To provide a behind-the-wheels look, I've included some photos given to me by Jenny, a team member with Wheels for the World (WFTW).

Catherine is our organization's logistics manager. She takes care all of the phone calls and schedule arrangements on the administrative side of our projects.

To the right of me is the leader of the county where we served the first week. On the far right is Parker, who led the WFTW team.

Brian is also a leader with Joni and Friends. He's a wonderful encourager. It's always a privilege to work with him.

It is common for the media to come out when we serve in smaller towns and communities. This community had never had an international group come and serve before, so it was a major event.

Recipients come in any way they can. We wish we could deliver wheelchairs to everyone in their home, but there's simply not enough time to do this. Recipients must come to the distribution site.

The team worked skillfully and dutifully for hours at a time. There was no guarantee for lunch. Often, there was too much work to stop for lunch.

 All of the families received a copy of Joni Tada's autobiography.

It was quite amazing to watch the team work together to bless an individual.

Before and after photos tell a lot (see above and below photos).

 When Helen wasn't providing physical therapy, she entertained the kids with her balloon animals.

 Another glimpse of before and after (above and below photos).

Every team had a mechanic and therapist, but often, two or even three teams worked together to provide adjustments needed. It truly was a unified effort.

The surrounding area was very beautiful. I personally always stayed in the towns, but several team members served in the surrounding communities.

To make adjustments to wheelchairs, the team purchased materials like wood, foam and vinyl. It was quite impressive to see them make the chairs mold into specific individuals.

We're not able to share photos of the orphanage, but I've seldom seen people labor with more love. For more than ten hours, the team adjusted the chairs for orphans with severe disabilities. Few people around the world will ever know what love was shared with those wheelchairs. I wasn't able to do much that day, but I was glad to help sand wood and bring in dinner.

Over the last two weeks, we served more than 200 people, but there will always be those who stand out in our memories. If you ever have a chance to join a Wheels for the World team, it is a life-changing adventure. It was a privilege to be a part.
~ Kevin

Wheelchairs! ~ Part 1

 

~ Kevin