Ericka (39) was born in Nicaragua and now lives in neighboring Costa Rica.

When she was just 20 years old, Ericka was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a progressive autoimmune disease. She has gradually lost mobility to chronic pain ever since but has never let this condition defeat her.

Ericka went on to get married and have two children, working hard to help support the family.

Ericka, sitting on the ground, selling her handicrafts to tourists.
Ericka selling her handicrafts, before receiving a wheelchair.

Despite her joints being severely inflamed by rheumatoid arthritis, Ericka makes a living by making and selling handmade items such as soaps, costume jewelry, ornate wooden boxes, wall decorations, and clocks. She even sews and does embroidery!

But without a wheelchair, she could not go very far to get supplies or sell her handicrafts.

A map of Costa Rica, where Ericka is from.

Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, Ericka received a new GEN_3 wheelchair from our local distribution partner, the Do It Foundation.

Now that she has mobility, Ericka can travel further from her home and cover a wider range of markets and fairs to sell her handmade goods. She can also take the bus to other towns since the GEN_3 folds for ease of transportation. She looks forward to meeting new customers and growing her business.

When you give someone like Ericka the gift of a wheelchair, you empower them to live up to their full potential.

Would you consider giving someone this gift today?

Donate now to Free Wheelchair Mission