CMM Distributes Wheelchairs around the world!
Your gift of $100 will provide a refurbished chair to a person in need! $200 will provide a new wheelchair!
Alvin W. Miller, Director of International Operations and CMM Vice President, Mary Tieken along with her children and grandchildren
are the face of Children’s Medical Ministries wheelchair distributions. As physical therapists, Mary’s daughters have the
expertise and know the importance of seating children correctly. Alvin, Mary and her family have seated children
in many countries. Some recent trips for wheelchair distributions include: Colombia, Guatemala, Vietnam, Israel and Romania.
How does wheelchair distribution work:
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CMM volunteers visit the location to measure and photograph each child taking a brief medical history in order to select the proper type of chair for them
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This information is documented on a “Wheelchair Request Application”
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If a child is a victim of cerebral palsy or polio, a qualified physical therapist will be sent to “seat” and properly position the child in their new wheelchair
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Each child is photographed before and after receiving their wheelchair for our donors
Chairs are distributed to children and senior citizens. In a memorandum of understanding we are in agreement with our distributors that we will not issue wheelchairs within the United States. Corporations are very generous in offering us parts and material for upholstering chairs.
This mother was so happy for the “new life” opened to she and her son
through the gift of a wheelchair!
(Read her expression of appreciation here: Letter of Thanks)
Receiving a wheelchair can literally transform the life of a child, as illustrated by the following human-interest story.
Gallia’s Story
Gallia lies on a colorful rug that protects her thin, crippled body from Sahara Desert sand, but there is no protection from the flies that crawl on her face and in her eyes, nose and mouth. No one is there to brush them away and she can’t do it herself.
Her stiff limbs and gnarled hands prevent her from doing the simplest of tasks like walking or sitting up. Gallia has cerebral palsy. She cannot speak, yet she understands words spoken to her. She makes grunting sounds when she knows someone is listening, and always has a huge smile that shows her happy heart.
Gallia’s mother struggles to lift and carry her 14-year-old daughter to the other side of the tent where dinner is served. A small pillow props her up so she won’t choke on her food. Basic necessities are lacking here.
Gallia’s mother was thrilled when volunteers from Children’s Medical Ministries told her that her daughter was getting a wheelchair. Now Gallia can sit up and receive her meals and her mother doesn’t have to lift her off the ground each time she needs to move her. Gallia’s smile confirmed that she was comfortable in her new chair.
Gallia waiting for a wheelchair:
Gallia is so excited for a set of “wheels!”
