Antonella Rodriguez is just four years old, a sweet little girl with a radiant smile. When she was born, there were complications involved in her delivery, and for a brief moment, the infant girl did not receive the oxygen she needed. Antonella suffered mild brain damage, but the family could not afford medical treatment at the time.

“My sweet girl,” said her mother. “She is a joy to me, but it is very difficult taking care of her and my other children and my home. My husband has to work so hard to take care of all of us. But because I must stay home with my daughter, I cannot get a job to help out.” 

Some limited therapy recently has helped Antonella to have improved used of her hands and fingers, but she is far from being able to walk on her own. The family needed a wheelchair for their daughter, but the expense was beyond the family’s means.

“My mother has offered to look after her so that I could go to work,” she added, “but Antonella has grown too big for her to carry around.” 

A recent distribution from Free Wheelchair Mission provided just what the family needed.

“What a gift from God!” said Antonella’s mother. “A wheelchair for my daughter! We cannot believe our good fortune.”

Now, her mother can go back to work to help out the family finances. The grandmother will care for the little girl during the day, and the other children can also be a better support to their sister. And perhaps, someday, Antonella may be able to learn to push herself and move around on her own, and enjoy some freedom and independence.

What a difference a wheelchair makes.” Antonella’s mother smiled. “We are so grateful to all the people that made this possible for our little girl, and for our whole family.” 

“God bless you all!”