WHEELCHAIRS FOR THE LAME

 On Wednesday of last week we had a great day with an established NGO partner named UCP.   We started early in the morning and had a full day.  The interesting thing about UCP (United Cerebral Palsy) is that many of their employees are individuals with disabilities themselves.  The social worker that accompanied us throughout the day was paralyzed 15 years ago in a motorcycle accident. She told us that she was homebound for 10 years until she was able to get a wheelchair and a motorcycle that had accommodations for a wheelchair.  She told us that it made all the difference in her life, as she could then be self-sufficient, working on her own.  As I talked with her I was impressed with her positive, enthusiastic attitude she had towards life.  She shares her stories with her clients, and they see that although she is disabled, she can carry on a full life.  It gives them hope for the future. Two years ago she attended a camp in Park City, Utah for people with disabilities. It was the first time she had ever visited the U.S.  There she learned to ride a horse, water ski, and even went on the zip line.  While we visited together, she invited me to have a ride on her motorcycle. Of course I said yes!  I never thought I would ride sidesaddle on a motorcycle while a paralyzed woman drove!

We started our day with this NGO by by visiting a family with two children with cerebral palsy.  The daughter had developed CP after she had a bad seizure when she was one years old.  She had pretty significant physical challenges, and was unable to go to school. The other boy didn't look very disabled in his wheelchair until he got up to use his walker. Then I realized how many challenges he was facing. I was very proud of him as I watched to see how much he struggled with each step he took.  It was a painful process, but he did it.  Our church has provided 1500 wheelchairs and also walkers through this NGO.  The great thing is that instead of just handing out the wheelchairs, each wheelchair is custom fitted by a physical therapist. That way, each need is individually met. Each family is visited by a social worker.  Follow up is provided, and warranties are provided for the wheelchairs.  Some of the wheelchairs are called rough riders, and we were shown how a grown man could stand on the foot rest and the wheelchair wouldn't flip.  The rough riders  is for those that might have to go through rough terrain, or down steps.  They have heavy duty wheels attached.  

During the day we  saw 4 children fit for wheelchairs.  One old grandma came in carrying her grandson.  Two fathers came in carrying their sons.  One mother came in carrying her 8 year old son.  The 8 year old boy told us that he wants to be a motorcycle mechanic or motorcycle racer, he wasn't sure.  He loves math and scored 98% on his last math test.  He said he is excited to have his wheelchair because now he can play with his friends, and go even faster than they go.  

At the end of the day, we ended up at the wheelchair warehouse and assembly site.  All of the men working on the wheelchairs were disabled, some without legs, others without the use of their legs. It was inspiring to see an organization that was giving work to those that they were also trying to help.  

I felt good about the day.  We didn't make the lame walk, but they weren't being carried any more.  

physical therapists checking client

local children

CP client with wheelchair

Motorcycle mechanic wannabe

visiting with family of two children above

motorcycle ride  notice wheelchair

wheelchair and walker recipient

new wheelchair before fitting