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Wheelchairs give mobility to disabled people

Following a successful 2006 Christmas sleigh collection, Braintree Rivers Rotary Club made a donation of £500 to the Wheelchair Foundation.

Over 500,000 wheelchairs have been given to disabled people in 140 countries worldwide since June 2000 through donations to the Foundation.

Mobility gives dignity, self respect and the opportunity for individuals to gain education and employment as well as removing a huge burden on their families. It really does make a difference to the lives of disabled people unable to afford a wheelchair.

This young girl lost both her legs in a landmine blast two months ago. She triggered a landmine while she was grazing her goats in a field. She escaped death but became a double amputee.

Her father brought her on his back to the distribution center. He said that they are so worried about her, because her wounds have not fully heeled right now and if someone moves her around or takes her to the bathroom she feels pain and cries.

He said that she will feel better in this wheelchair because her wounds will not be touched as she moves around, and they will heel more quickly.

The girl and her father were so happy to receive a wheelchair.

[released July 2007]