Friday Wheelchair Story: Wheelchairs for Grandparents

Perhaps you will agree with me. My happiest feeling today is being with family and being part of the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Right behind is the feeling of gratification from giving.

We just got this story from our good friend Paco in Oaxaca, Mexico. He works through Grower’s First, an Orange County organization. You helped Paco be able to give this tremendous gift of mobility.

I love my grandparents. As a child I thought I should have more grandparents than four. My grandparents gave me such special tenderness and love. Today I had the opportunity to donate wheelchairs to grandparents. When I look at their faces, I see they are transformed, along with and their hearts. The deep sadness that used to overwhelm them because they can not move, well, it is gone. Now they have the joy of feeling a new strength. The wheelchairs made them come alive!

Oaxaca is a multiethnic state of Mexico where marginalization, neglect and sadness lacerate our naturally generous people. It is a blessing that you have enabled me to do this humanitarian work. Thanks to God for the selfless spirit of the Free Wheelchair Mission and your supporters.

And this message came from Bertina:

When I got the news that a foundation would give away wheelchairs in my town, I was filled with joy. I said to myself “One of these wheelchairs has to be for me.”I talked to the authorities. I filled out an application. A man pointed at a list and promised to call me the day of delivery.

Now that I am sitting in my wheelchair, I realize that my dreams became real. You changed my whole being. I now have opportunities to move, to work and to be useful. I told my grandchildren that in life there are always surprises and gifts that only God bestows. May God look after the Americans to continue to pick up the poorer people like me who have little hope.

You changed my whole being.

Blessings,

Don Schoendorfer
Founder and President, FWM

Friday Wheelchair Story: Georgie Porgie Pudding Pie

It is such a blessing to meet people that are outrageously happy. Last month we were distributing wheelchairs in South Africa, and we met George. He is 75 years old. He lost one leg above the knee about seven years ago. George can get around alright with a walker, at least for short distances, but his shoulders are starting to bother him. We asked his name and this is what he sang:

"Georgie Porgy, Pudding and Pie.
Kissed the girls and made them cry.
When the boys came out to play.
Georgie Porgy ran away."

He loves to sing, and when we told him we were from the USA, he started to belt out You Are My Sunshine and Let Me Call You Sweetheart. George had such joy in his soul, and he continued to entertain us while we assembled a wheelchair at his front door. Soon, he had us all singing along.

When we were finished putting his wheelchair together, George jumped in his new chair and sang all the louder! Neighbors started to congregate around to see what the commotion was all about.

When I tried to tell George how to use the wheelchair, he had the following words for me and my misguided attempt to give him instruction.

“Young man,” he said. “I am a repairman. I understand your wheelchair. I will have no trouble keeping this baby on the road!”

And off he went, down the road, singing his songs.

Friday Wheelchair Story: A Factory Visit

I just returned from visiting a factory near Shanghai, China, that manufactures our wheelchairs. Kathy is factory sales manager, and this is what she said: 

“It is an honor to work with FWM. We are happy to produce your very high quality wheelchair, because we know they are given to the poor. We understand how powerful your wheelchairs are to the physically disabled, how they give independence, mobility and joy to very desperate people.” 

Echo (our engineer in China), Kathy and Dong

Friday Wheelchair Story: UPS Delivers!

It is such a blessing to see the volunteers that come into our office and share their time with Free Wheelchair Mission! We were truly gifted when the UPS volunteers stopped by a few weeks ago and spent a Friday afternoon helping out with our Christmas mailing. We definitely kept them busy. Talk about finding out first hand “what brown can do for you!” I did some research and found out that UPS ships over 15 million packages a day to customers in more than 200 countries and territories around the world...but this team still took the time to chip in and help us out. Here is part of a letter from Gloria Glenn, one of our hardworking UPS volunteers:
I was excited to have been given the opportunity to volunteer at Free Wheelchair Mission, and found out what a great organization it is. We all kept busy, and I stuffed envelopes and made phone calls to past volunteers and donors. Most moving and enjoyable, though, was a touching video we viewed illustrating the lives changed in South America this year. We learned how Free Wheelchair Mission accomplishes their work all over the world, and how important it is to give our time and financial support to make those gifts possible to the less fortunate. It truly touched my heart to see people with so little resources and dignity, especially the kids. Free Wheelchair Mission really helps the most in need find hope for tomorrow. 

Overall, the UPS team packaged more than five hundred Christmas cards, assembled multiple fundraiser mailings, and made hundreds of phone calls for our next fundraiser! We appreciate the support of volunteers, and thank the people at UPS for their hard work, and for helping to send the “transforming gift of mobility” around the world! 

Friday Wheelchair Story: Giving Thanks in a War-torn World

Readers may know that we have provided over 17,000 wheelchairs to the poor in Iraq. Getting news from countries in conflict is especially difficult. This message just came in from Lieutenant Adam Strickley. 

I am the Civil Affairs team leader of CAT 722 of the 1472nd Civil Affairs Company, US Army Reserves out of Chicago, IL. We are attached to the 1-150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron in the Baghdad Providence of Iraq. Our mission is to support our maneuver unit and support and stabilize the Government of Iraq. We work in the local communities and tribes to build confidence in the newly formed Government of Iraq (GOI) and the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF).  

Dr. Qais is a Ministry of Health employee during the day and has a private clinic at night. His private clinic supports his village and the surrounding areas. We contacted him with the idea of doing a wheelchair distribution at his clinic. He was extremely excited that we could help him help his people. Dr. Qais made the arrangements. There were over 50 people when we arrived and 24 who needed wheel chairs.  

Among the recipients were amputees, elderly, and children with birth defects. The ages ranged from 6 to 45. A 21 year old lady was so touched by the gift that she stopped and talked with me. With tears of joy in her eyes she expressed that she had not been able to move around by herself for her whole life. She had been carried anywhere she needed to go by her family. In this culture, for a woman to come out of her shell and talk to me publicly means that she was extremely compelled to do so. There were more stories of the same type from all of the recipients and their caretakers. 

From me, my team, and the people of Iraq, we appreciate all of the donors and the hard work you do at your organization to get these people the life changing help they need and deserve. 

My friends, as we continue to celebrate Thanksgiving, remember the tears of joy on the lady from Iraq. We have so much, and you choose to share, and your sharing gave her and 24 others a chance for a better life. 

Friday Wheelchair Story: I wanted to make their challenge mine.

Next February, hundreds of friends of Free Wheelchair Mission will be joining the Surf City USA ® Marathon, raising funds for wheelchairs through Run for Mobility 2010!  We have wonderful stories of the dedicated people, running, walking, rolling, and cheerleading for the cause! Here is a story from our friend Marina:

My very first running event was the Los Angeles Marathon in March 2004, during my last year of high school – even back then, I ran as a fundraiser as well as just for the event, trying to raise funds for measles vaccinations for the poor. Since then I have run in events around the world and across the United States, and this year’s Run for Mobility in February will be my 50^th marathon! Without the help of family & friends, I would never have been able to accomplish all this, and so I always desire to give back somehow.

My inspiration to return to Surf City USA ® Marathon for my 50th was because, after all these marathons, I have found running in marathons a simple task to do. I often think how blessed I am to be able to stand at a starting line with the crowds in the first place, and then to complete 26 miles. For many others this would be simply impossible - especially for people living in poverty and suffering from disability. I became a fundraiser with the Run for Mobility and Free Wheelchair Mission to try to help, to use something that has been such a wonderful part of my life to raise money for wheelchairs, and help others overcome the terrible obstacles in their lives. In a way, I wanted to make their challenge mine as well, and see if we could overcome these challenges together! 

What a special way to commemorate my 50th marathon, right here in southern California where I ran my first... better & stronger than ever - and best of all, helping others!

To support a current Run for Mobility fundraiser, visit www.runformobility.org
and click on “sponsor participant’. 

To sign up to become a Run for Mobility fundraiser, go to www.runformobility.org
and click “Register Here”.

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

Friday Wheelchair Story: Let the Little Children Come

As you read this, Laurie and I will be on our way to South Africa with a mission team to distribute wheelchairs.We will be posting updates on our new BLOG. Follow along with us, and you can add comments too! Link to the blog from our homepage or click HERE.

Today’s Friday Story comes from Greg and his team who just returned from Ecuador:
My assignment was helping unload the people coming to get their wheelchairs from the cars and buses that brought them to the auditorium. I noticed a mother holding her child in her arms. The child’s name was Joanna and was an amputee due to a recent car accident.

Organizers told the mother she did not have the paperwork for her daughter to receive a wheelchair. Since there are so many in need, the applicants must file a request to make sure those who have the greatest need are handled first. Without the paperwork, her little girl did not qualify. They told her she should contact a different agency that assists small children. 

Terry and I both felt heart broken. I remember seeing such hopelessness in the eyes of Joanna and her mother. I remember thinking of Mark 10:14 “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them: for such is the kingdom of God”.

I went on about my work, transporting people. After a few more trips, I was surprised to see Joanna sitting in a wheelchair in the front row of the auditorium. Someone had decided to make an exception. They added a special harness to the chair to help secure small Joanna into the chair. Joanna was sitting in the very spot I was saving for a special presentation of certificates to honor those receiving chairs that day. As I handed Joanna her certificate, I could see a the glimmer of joy in her eyes where before there had been such hopelessness.

Friday Wheelchair Story: The TIres of his Dreams

This story comes from our good friend John, with the Do It Center, our distribution partner in Costa Rica. John and his organization have distributed 7,700 wheelchairs so far!                 

Juan Manuel arrived with his mother, father and sister after a five-hour bus ride from a remote area near Los Chiles. They are living in conditions that prohibit them from being able to purchase the wheelchair they so need that would drastically change the whole family's life.

Juan Manuel was ecstatic as soon as he saw the tires on the wheelchair. He could not stop pointing, smiling and laughing! He recognized the tires, as they resemble those in photo of a mountain bicycle from an old magazine clipping he has taped on the wall of his bedroom. Juan Manuel told us he dreams every day about riding the bicycle in that photo. He reassured us that some day he will walk again and realize his dream of riding that bicycle! We saw the fight in his eyes and we do not doubt him one bit. 

Weeks later Juan Manuel's father contacted us through a family member. They have no telephone. “That wheelchair is perfect for the 6 miles of gravel road they walk every Sunday to go to church,” he proudly stated.  He emphasized that pushing Juan Manuel is much easier that carrying him.

Friday Wheelchair Story: You don't even know me

This story comes from Peter of Hope for Vietnam Children.

Every time I visit Vietnam I say to myself “This is the last time,” or at least that's what goes through my mind after the 32 hour trip, until I meet a kid like this and I know I'll be back.

His name is Thanh. He is 15 and he lives with his grandparents. Though he has never been able to walk, he takes care of his 88-year-old grandfather and 86-year-old grandmother. Thanh is paralyzed from the waist downbut still sets out at 6 am everyday, dragging himself through the dirt, sometimes on muddy roads.He is looking for plastic bottles. Thanh makes about $1 a day after selling his day’s collection.

He sat very anxiously waiting for us to put his new wheels together. His face grew brighter with every minute. He pulled over a small wooden box that he used as a step to climb on to the chair. He immediately started to cry.

I asked Thanh how it felt to be off the ground. He said, “Never mind that, why would you come from so far away to bring me a wheelchair? You don't even know me.” I told him Jesus sent him the wheelchair, and God just asked me to deliver it. He asked me to say thanks to God for him. I had to hold back my tears.What a wonderful feeling, changing a person’s life with just the gift of a wheelchair. I cannot think of anything else I would rather do.

Thank you God for the opportunity you give me to be apart of your team. After losing both my legs in Vietnam, I could not do what I do unless God was living in me. I love the Lord with all my heart. Thanks to everyone at Free Wheelchair Mission, this young man's life will be a little easier now.

Friday Wheelchair Story: Wheelchair Saves Family

This story comes from Steven and Grace of FEDES, our partner in Chile.So far FEDES has distributed 24,200 wheelchairs.

We met Miguel in the small town of Caleu, where we were interviewing previous wheelchair recipients. We had travelled there to find out the impact of the instruction manual, and whether recipients had found it to be helpful for them. We did learn a lot that day about the manuals, but we also heard this miraculous story.

Miguel shared with us what a blessing it was for his family to have received a wheelchair five months before. The wheelchair was for his wife, Carmen. She suffered a stroke a few years ago that also left her with brain damage. Soon after they received the wheelchair, a fire broke out in their house. A friend was taking care of Carmen and their two-year-old grandson while Miguel was out working on the fields. Thank God, Carmen was already sitting in her wheelchair. The fire grew very quickly and was burning their small wood house so fast.Their friend only had the time to put the grandson on Carmen’s lap and push them both outside before the roof collapsed.Miguel is sure if they had not had the wheelchair one or both would have died.

“Your wheelchair saved my family’s life,” Miguel told us. “When I heard that you were coming again, I was so happy that I would be able to tell you about this amazing miracle.”

A friend of Miguel took us to the site of the burned house. Miguel did not want to go back himself because he felt it would bring bad memories. Miguel now lives with his family while they save money to build another home. We were not able to visit with Carmen; she was living with relatives in a different town until she and Miguel can be together again.

As we were leaving, Miguel said, “Please tell Free Wheelchair Mission and all their supporters about the amazing miracle that happened because of their love and dedication.”

Photos: Top, Grace & Miguel; Bottom, The remains of their home

Friday Wheelchair Story: Match This

Every week, I look forward to sending you a story of hope and encouragement from our many friends, partners and fundraisers around the globe, but today I want to talk to you about a very generous gift – one that will transform lives in a very big way. 

October is Disability Awareness Month and Free Wheelchair Mission is honoring it with our Matching Gift Challenge. This opportunity has been made available to us because a benefactor with a huge heart for the disabled has agreed to match an entire container of 550 wheelchairs! Friends, this means that if we all pull together in the month of October, the Challenge will match up to 550 wheelchairs, doubling your gifts and sending twice the wheelchairs around the world! 

For every dollar you donate to the FWM Matching Gift Challenge, your gifts will have double the impact! One wheelchair becomes two, two becomes four . . . you get the picture! But only if you take the Challenge and only if you give before October 31, 2009. This is the first time FWM has enjoyed such a generous offer, and we are grateful not only for the generosity of our matching benefactor, but for you, our loyal friends and supporters.  

Please don’t delay. Click on the Donate Now button below and your compassion will go twice as far. Take the Challenge, and let’s provide not just one container of wheelchairs but two, to those who still wait to receive the “transforming gift of mobility.”  

Together, I know we can make a difference! 

Don Schoendorfer
President and Founder, Free Wheelchair Mission

Friday Wheelchair Story: Fry's Market

God does amazing things to help all of us discover qualities in ourselves. This story comes from Rod, Corinne and Dylan who own and run Fry’s Market. Fry’s is a small family market one block from the ocean in Newport Beach, CA. Newspaper sales were down, so Rod decided to move the newspaper rack to the back of the store, and in its place put our wheelchair, creatively decorated, with some literature and a donation box. Fantastic things began to happen. Here is what Rod wrote to me: 

I thought the newspaper distributor man would be angry when he discovered we moved his display rack. Instead, he wants to donate ALL last month’s revenue! The many customers who leave their change everyday make up the bulk of the donations. There are local kids who understand their privileges in life and contribute daily. I recall a person without work giving; when I asked if I could contribute on her behalf, she said, "let's match each other." Then there are the people who take a business card; my guess is there might be a barrier to contributing through Fry's, so they contribute another way. Yesterday, the tobacco authorities came by to conduct a random compliance investigation (yes, we passed) and even they contributed! You must understand that these people are a bit stern, but they left inspired.  

A CUSTOMER CAME IN JUST NOW AND DONATED $600! 

What's most awesome for me is the PROFIT! The chair is situated in the store's prime spot and generates more spiritual profit than any dollar amount can measure. It's wonderful to see someone come in with the stresses of the day and leave inspired and grateful. Simply writing this email brings tears of humility and honor. Since we started this campaign, I have had more conversations with God. My daily routines are full of drips of goodness when I see the wheelchair as I go in and out of Fry's. It is an honor to be a link in the enormous chain of truly wonderful people. I am humbled to the point of tears from the experience.

Captions: Top Photo: FWM Poster in Window, Middle Photo: Wheelchair in store, Bottom Photo: FWM Book on counter