I have had an interesting week, to say the least!

Two weeks ago Dr. Mike and I ended our Ride for Mobility campaign, riding bicycles from NYC to LA, with hardly an incident. This past Saturday I went for a brief 2 hour ride, to keep in shape more than anything. Five miles into the ride I heard a commotion, swerved to the right and came to later with three ambulance attendants trying to get me to say my name. I know no other details. Tuesday I got out of the hospital, with a fractured right fibula (bone in leg between knee and ankle) and compression fractured L-4 vertebrae in my back. They fitted me with a chest/back brace to wear for six weeks to help the fractured vertebrae heal, and soon they will remove a splint and form a cast for my leg.

I believe everything happens for a reason, one we as humans very rarely get. Thus, I will not speculate. However, these past four days I have used our wheelchair, quite proudly too. Everything became so much harder for me and my family, even with our wheelchair. Most everything is already impossible for those who do not have a wheelchair. If all goes well for me, I will be back to normal in two months. If all goes well for them, their challenges will only worsen if they don’t get a wheelchair. It is such a sharp contrast and ever clearer to me now since my accident.

I am torn among wanting more gizmos on our wheelchair to add to my comfort, being thankful for this modest form of mobility it provides, and squirming in pain just thinking of those millions of people that lack any kind of wheelchair.

This experience sharpens my perspective of the importance of our mission, and why more than ever we are thankful that you joined us in this fight for mobility for the poorest of the poor in developing countries throughout the world.

The following story comes from American Nicaraguan Foundation, our Nicarguan distribution partners:

Dionisia Loáisiga is 90 years old and living alone in Nicaragua after the death of her husband two years ago. Her children are all grown and do not live in Nicaragua any more. Due to Dionisia’s deteriorating health, her son, José Escobar Loáisiga, returned home to care for his mother.

“My sister sends some money to cover the expenses for my mother’s illness, food, and all that she needs, but sometimes it is not enough for everything.”

Dionisia was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both knees and also with Alzheimer disease. Therefore, conversations with her are brief and without lasting memory.

“Before she could take a few steps with help from a cane, but now she can’t because she forgets that she is sick and thinks she can run around. One day she tripped and that is why her knees are bandaged”.

Words of gratitude for a gift of mobility.

“Esteemed personnel of Free Wheelchair Mission, I, José Escobar Loáisig, in my mother’s name, who has benefited from your generosity with a wheelchair that she needed very much, wish you many blessings so you can continue to help those in need. Thank you very much and God bless you”.

-José Escob

The following story comes from our Vietnamese Distribution Partners, Giving it Back to the Kids:

Bui Van Thai is a 42 year old man who led a normal life until age 25. First he lost an eye, and then he contracted a rare blood disorder. He had one leg amputated in 1989 then lost his second leg in 2002. Life was not easy for Bui and it was difficult to do everyday things.

He is married and has a nine year old daughter. His wife supports them by selling vegetables at the street market. I could always see the sadness in this man, feeling that he no longer was a man because he was not able to support his family. As we talked, we spoke of champions, those who never quit. I told him that he is still a man. There is always hope.

He began to look at me. He said he was thinking that now with a wheelchair he will be able to sell some lottery tickets and help support his family. He began to hold his head a bit higher. I encouraged him to dream. His life was not over!

All of sudden tears began to build in his eyes. He said he always believed that no one cared about the disabled. This gift from the Free Wheelchair Mission is the first nice thing anyone ever did for him. He said that today he found someone that does care for him. That he is encouraged that there is hope for his life. He was beginning to smile a bit He thanked us saying he has "another view of life"

Thank you Free Wheelchair Mission!

The following Story is from Wendy about her son Brett, who is a 13 year-old raising funds for Free Wheelchair Mission for his Bar Mitzvah project:

Brett has taken this project very seriously. The photos of the wheelchairs being delivered to those in need in other countries made him cry. This is a terrific project for him and win-win for everyone involved. He is required by his religious school to perform a "mitzvah" or good deed in any way that he desires.

Most 13 year old kids ask for gift certificates, video games and other gifts for their Bar Mitzvahs. Brett wants the opportunity to give people a better life and dignity thought the gift of mobility.This would be his ultimate Bar Mitzvah gift.

To date, Brett has raised over $650.00 for the Free Wheelchair Mission. He raised the money by hand making candy bar wrappers on our home computer to cover Hershey Bars which we purchased.

Brett scoped out a location in front of Dunkin Donuts in our home town, Needham, MA, and set up a table with posters and handouts and information about the Free Wheelchair Mission. He sold over 100 candy bars plus received many more donations after his presentation!

He continues to raise funds for the Free Wheelchair Mission. In August his is doing a mini bike-athon, and sells additional candy at soccer tournaments.

For Brett, the goal of Free Wheelchair Mission has touched his heart. He is an acitve, sports-loving boy and his only wish is that all disabled children can receive the precious gift of mobility that a wheelchair offers.

This story comes from the China Disabled Peoples Federation (CDPF). They are one of our partners in China. They coordinate the distribution of our wheelchairs with the Christian Church of China (CCC). Zhao really did mean to use the word “walk”!

My name is Zhao and I am 35 years old. I am a villager in Datong City, Shanxi Province. I lost my legs in an accident 15 years ago. Since then, I have been unable to walk or stand, so the only way for me to move about was to ask my parents to carry me in and out on their backs. For 15 years now I have been dreaming of walking out of my house on my own and enjoying life as every one else does.

Now my dream has come true!

I am excited that I have regained my “legs”. I received a free wheelchair donated by you, Free Wheelchair Mission. From now on, I can walk about in my new wheelchair, and I can walk out to communicate with others. I feel like I am a member of society again. I will never be isolated from the outside world. I will never be lonely again. Never!

I am so grateful to you, to the CDPF and to the local Disabled Peoples Federation of Shanxi and Datong City.

The following story comes from our Chilean distribution partners, Steve & Grace Colon:

Juan Fernández is 74 years old and lives in the small town of Lo Espejo, Chile. Six years ago Juan found out that he has diabetes and because of his diabetes he has serious problems with his legs. This has been a major issue because he needs to visit the doctor every day to have his daily cures on his feet and legs. He has been asking around to borrow a wheelchair from Hospitals which, unfortunately, is not always possible. Jose retired and has a small monthly pension month. He lives with his wife, two sons, and two grandkids, so they barely make it. He has been praying everyday for a wheelchair so that he can move around and do everyday things.

…Imagine how joyful he was when he heard that he had a Free Wheelchair waiting for him and that The Lord had answered his prayers.

You have all heard about the earthquake in Peru. Its epicenter was just 20 miles south of Cañete, which is about 100 miles south of Lima.

Jonathan Lopez of Camino de Vida and I were in Cañete back in February 2005, giving out 75 wheelchairs. It seemed like a lot of wheelchairs for that small town. Things changed rapidly this past week. Along with Cañete, the big cities of Pisco, Chincha Alto and Ica were hard hit. Camino de Vida has a reserve of wheelchairs in Lima, and once the bleeding has stopped, people will get shelter and food. Then, when the dust settles, they will start bringing our wheelchairs.

It will take some time to get some stories for you. In the meantime, I want to share one of my favorites that you have not heard; one from Jonathan Lopez. Peruvians are strong people, and they will make it through this, but your prayers are also needed.

When I walked over to talk with Silverio she did something that really touched my heart. When I gave her the wheelchair, in return she handed me her walking stick and said “For 20 years I have used this walking stick but now I don’t need it anymore. Please take this and show this to those beautiful people who made it possible for me to have this wheelchair.” I keep her walking stick beside my bed and each morning when I wake up I look over and see it and I remember why I do what I do. Together we are transforming lives!

This story comes from Rashid Logistics Manager and Translator for AmeriCares Foundation ADRA Kyrgyzstan. We gave them a container this past January. 

I am responsible for taking some of the stories that we acquired and putting them in English for you to read. These were heartbreaking stories. They touched my heart. I saw people that received these wheelchairs. They cried when they received the wheelchairs from my hands. They thanked God. They thanked ADRA Kyrgyzstan. They thanked the Free Wheelchair Mission. They thanked AmeriCares. They thanked the government of the Kyrgyz Republic for being most generous in giving its time and space for the distribution of these wheelchairs.

I was also in charge of facilitating the building and distribution of the wheelchairs. They are easily assembled. The honorable Minister of Labour and Social Protection gave great assistance. The government of the Kyrgyz Republic loves its people and they proved this by dedicating their energies to making this distribution a great success. This country is full of honorable men and women that work tirelessly to assist the Kyrgyz people. They give everything they can give, but the country is so poor, and the government has so little. Free Wheelchair Mission did a wonderful thing by providing these wheelchairs to the people who need them the most. The wheelchairs are light-weight but strong. They are a real blessing.

Here is one of my favorite stories:

I prayed to God and asked him to either take me away or let me meet another person who can help me to live. After this prayer I met my husband, and we now have two children. My husband is blind. Together we are a single whole person. He is my legs and I am his eyes. We are so poor, but now I have my very own wheelchair!

This story comes from Christian Aid Ministries in Nicaragua:

When we got to Masachapa we were greeted by a crowd of people. There were people of every sort and age, from the youngest child to the oldest. Oh my, I could hardly guess how old, but VERY old and fragile. I wondered what happened that so many of these young children and several young adults were so crippled? My heart was so touched at the very sight and my eyes soon started blurring with tears. After we were there awhile taxis kept arriving with more people, mothers walked in, carrying their crippled children and some were tall and a heavy load I’m sure. I just couldn’t wait to give these people those precious wheelchairs so they wouldn’t have to carry them anymore!

But before we started bringing them in, the pastor stepped up front and lifted up his hands and said “Let’s pray!” And pray they did! Everyone prayed their own prayer out loud, and it was such a jumble of words but I was so thankful that God could sort them out and hear every one! Finally, the pastor started calling out the peoples names and we pushed the wheelchairs to them. What I want to write next I don’t really know how… the scene was so touching, the tears just slipped down my cheeks. As one by one their names were called and they were lifted into the soft seats of these wheelchairs, the crowd just erupted with clapping and praise to God. The elderly, as they sat there in their new wheelchairs, raised their wrinkled, work worn hands toward heaven and with tears running down their cheeks, they said over and over “Gloria a Dios, Gloria a Dios!" The family members who cared for them stood beside them and with smiling faces wheeled them off into the crowd. And those children just smiled and touched everything they could on these new miracle chairs. The young girl smiled shyly and said to Ben as he was talking with her that she wants to thank God and also the friends in North America who cared. 

We watched as a whole stream of people on wheelchairs disappeared out the drive and taxis with wheelchairs tied on top made up part of the caravan. I just breathed a prayer for God to bless these people and bless the ones in the states who had a heart big enough to make this possible. 

The following Story is from American Nicaraguan Foundation, our Nicaraguan Distribution Partners:

Mrs. Guadalupe is 74 years old and has 12 children, two of which live with her: Yudith and Marlen Ruiz. Her two daughters help her on a daily basis. They bath her, change her, cook, and even make and sell nacatamales so that they can make it.

Three years ago, only days after her husband passed away, she fell and had to be operated. They placed prosthesis in her hip, and that altered the way she walked and had to use a walker. Now Mrs.Guadalupe is dealing with an injury from a second fall where she broke her knee. Because of the lack of money, she did not go to the hospital until two months after she fell, and by that time there was nothing the doctors could do. She thought she was stuck forever.

Guadalupe’s Life has been Transformed!

“I am very grateful for the wheelchair from Free Wheelchair Mission because now, most importantly, I will be able to go to church and the hospital, as well as move around the house. I have not been able to leave this room, have no money, and so my daughters and I are always looking for ways to survive. My only income is that from selling nacatamales, and social security payments I receive. I thank God and these organizations for helping me, God bless you for performing these great acts”.
-Guadalupe López

This story comes from our partner and great friend Robert in Viet Nam:

Trung is 43 years old and lives with his wife (farmer) and 17 year-old son. He was born with disabled legs. He is accustomed to a life without sunshine. “When I was small, my parents occasionally took me outside. But as I got older, it became more difficult. Imagine a big man being carried by his parents or his wife in public places? Why would I want people to see me like that?”

Not only does Trung suffer from a life without sunshine, he also has to suffer from a life without happiness.

“I’ve never been happy with myself. I am a man, but I can not do anything to help my wife, who has to work hard all day by herself on the field, and my son, who dropped out of school at 5th grade so he can work to earn some extra income. My legs are useless, but it does not mean that I am useless too!”

The day Trung knew that he was going to get a wheelchair, he immediately sat down, and – for the first time in his life – he started to plan for the future of his family. This is what he told me:

“With this wheelchair, I won’t need any help to go outside anymore. I have decided to learn to become an electrician. My wife won’t have to work as hard, and my son can return to school.”

Trung didn’t known exactly where or when he is going to learn his job, or where he is going to work after that yet, but there’s one thing he knows for sure right now:

“I will no longer think of myself as a useless man.”

The following story is from our Program Manager, Whitney Billen, who recently returned from a mission trip to Peru:

We had delivered nearly 300 wheelchairs in Peru in five days and seen so many wonderful transformations, but the very last wheelchair we gave away had a beautiful story to tell, that I will never forget.

An earthquake hit the town of Pisco, Peru, on August 15th, 2007, killing over 600 people and leaving over 100,000 people displaced and out of a home. Visente Sr. and his son Visente Jr. were two of those victims who were displaced during the earthquake. They were living in a tent outside their home, because their home was too dangerous to live in. As our team approached Visente Jr., he began to clap and his contagious smile lifted all of us above the shambles that were surrounding us.

Visente Jr. is 24 years old and was born with a deformity that has left him unable to walk on his own. He had a wheelchair as a child, but outgrew that several years prior and his father had been praying for a wheelchair ever since. The gratitude of this father and son humbled each of us, Visente Jr. continued to smile and laugh, and as Jim Franklin our Chairman of the Board at FWM pushed him along, he beamed with dignity and pride in his bright shiny new wheelchair. His father cried tears of joy as we circled around them both and prayed for their family. They will be going to stay in one of the camps that our Distribution Partner, Camino de Vida, is setting up to assist the families that lost their homes. Visente Sr. is grateful that now he will be able to take his son to church and know that his prayers have been answered.

This story comes from a very dear supporter, Susan Shaw.

Susan’s heart is with Fiji. A few years ago she pledged to completely satisfy that country’s needs for wheelchairs. She helped bring 2760 wheelchairs there so far, possibly satisfying 15% of the need in Fiji! Susan just returned from leading a mission team there, and here is one of her many stories:

I just returned from my 5th trip to Fiji. Every journey teaches me new lessons and only reinforces my commitment and desire to continue helping and changing the lives of so many deserving helpless people in Fiji.

Bill, the boat captain of our dive boat, came to me one day asking if we could visit a home nearby. We showed up at their home unannounced on a rainy day and after the mother showed us in, she took us to the outside patio where her son, Villiame was lying in the drizzle. The site of this large 28 yr. old young man unable to walk or talk took my breath away. He was crippled at birth and could not speak. He started to crawl into the home to see what all the excitement was about. He only has his mother to look after him while the father is away working. She literally lifts him up by herself to attend to his needs.I have no idea how.

She had tears in her eyes when we showed up with Villiame's new life changing wheelchair. He was lifted up and for the first time in his life, he had mobility under his own power - without crawling! Not only did he have a new life, so did his loving mother.

What inspires me even more than the smiles on the family and recipient's faces, is the sense of pride that occurs in those who brought us there – in this case Captain Bill. When we inspire others to give, they become heroes and are infected by that all-rewarding blessing of having served their fellow man. Every time I return, my heroes have found more and more people in need for me and the Free Wheelchair Mission.

Serving and bringing these helpless people the gift of mobility is the greatest achievement of my life.

Susan Shaw