Robert, a 50-year-old man from Buikwe, Uganda, has never been able to walk, and for his entire life, he has been forced to crawl. Can you even imagine what that must have been like—the pain, the exhaustion, the sheer frustration?
Despite his challenges, Robert does his best and manages to make a modest living on the shores of Lake Victoria. When passengers arrive in Buikwe by boat, he carries their luggage on his back as he crawls across the docks. It’s hard work, but it’s all he’s ever known.
But everything changed for Robert when he received a new GEN_2 wheelchair from Free Wheelchair Mission, through our distribution partner in Uganda, Father’s Heart Mobility Ministry. It was the first wheelchair he had ever had, and the impact it had on his life was immeasurable.
“Now, I can do my job more easily!” he exclaimed.
Instead of carrying luggage on his back and crawling, he can transport the bags on his lap while pushing himself along in the wheelchair. For the first time in his life, he has a sense of independence and freedom that he never thought possible.
After five long decades of crawling, Robert has renewed dignity, independence, and hope, all because of the generosity of people like you. It’s hard to put into words just how much of an impact a simple gift like a wheelchair can have on someone’s life—it’s not just about the physical mobility it provides, but the emotional and spiritual boost it gives to someone like Robert.
But Robert’s story is also a reminder of the challenges that people with disabilities face in Uganda and other parts of the world. Many are excluded from education, employment, and other opportunities that could improve their quality of life. Stigma and discrimination are still prevalent, making it even harder for them to access the resources and support they need.
Robert’s story is a testament to the power of compassion and the impact that we can have on someone’s life, no matter how small our actions may seem. It’s a reminder that there is still so much work to be done to make the world a more inclusive and accessible place for people with disabilities. But it’s also a reminder that when we come together and work towards a common goal, we can make a real difference in the lives of people who need it most.
There are still an estimated 75 million people worldwide like Robert who are waiting for a wheelchair but cannot get one on their own. Give someone the gift of mobility today.
Free Wheelchair Mission is a humanitarian organization that designs and manufactures cost-efficient, durable wheelchairs for individuals living with disabilities in developing countries. Since 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission has distributed more than 1.3 million wheelchairs in 94 countries around the world since 2001, providing renewed dignity, independence, and hope through the gift of mobility, all at no cost to the recipient.
