On Thursday, the 30th of December 2004, Rotary in Action Distract 9250 unloaded a Container filled with 287 Wheelchairs destined for three Pretoria Rotary Clubs. The wheelchairs were for a distribution among needy recipients in South Africa. After a long journey, these wheelchairs are being given to people whose lives will be changed by being grated the gift of mobility.
“This is the beginning of the beginning again. I am so grateful,” said Jeanette Farnsworth who was among the first recipients of 1,120 wheelchairs that will be distributed in Utah over the next several months. Farnsworth, who has degenerative cerebral palsy, said her motorized wheelchair was destroyed in an auto-pedestrian accident five years ago. The distribution of free wheelchairs is through a cooperative effort by The Wheelchair Foundation, Intermountain Health Care and the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation.
Bill Nelson, IHC’s president and chief executive officer feels strongly about every person’s right to mobility.
“There should be no one in the state of Utah who needs a wheelchair but doesn’t have one due to economic means.”
Ken Behring, former owner of the Seattle Seahawks, founded the Wheelchair Foundation in 2000. Since its inception, the foundation has given away more than 313,000 wheelchairs in some 130 countries around the world.
“Many people think a wheelchair is not freedom, but a wheelchair is freedom and dignity,” Behring said during a press conference in Utah.
Behring told some of the touching experiences he’s had through meeting recipients, including a man who lived in the Gaza Strip.
The man, Behring said, crawled to the giveaway and after receiving the wheelchair, told foundation officials, “Now I am a man. I can look someone in the eyes.”
Muffy Davis, a four-time winter Paralympics athlete who was paralyzed in a skiing accident when she was 16 was at the distribution. Muffy shared her personal story of how a wheelchair has helped her life since the accident.
“I was devastated,” Davis said, explaining it had been her dream to be an Olympic champion in racing. “That was my thoughts and beliefs then, but I have changed my thoughts and beliefs. I now see these wheelchairs as the most liberating piece of equipment available.”
Mike Leavitt, the Former Utah Governor and his wife Jackie attended the distribution and helped Farnsworth and other Utah residents into their new wheelchairs. Jackie Leavitt has been a long time supporter of the Wheelchair Foundation and its mission. Her Husband Mike will soon Head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“This foundation’s goal is to eradicate immobility,” Leavitt said.
For further information regarding obtaining a free wheelchair in the state of Utah please call 877-378-3839 or apply at www.wheelchairfoundation.org/Utah.
Related Links:
- http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2496232
- http://deseretnews.com/dn/view/0,1249,600099791,00.html
- http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=74931
On Saturday Oct 30th, The Wheelchair Foundation, in conjunction with VN Help, hosted a fundraiser to help the disabled people of Viet Nam attain much needed wheelchairs. The fundraiser, which was called Wheel & Grace, was a smashing success. With a runway model fashion show, silent and live auction as well as live stand up comedy, the night was filled with entertainment. Winner of the NBC hit show last comic standing, Dat Phan had the crowd laughing as they enjoyed his insightful and hilarious comedy routine. The runway fashion show showcased Vietnamese designers and several celebrity models including Ms. Vietnam 2004.
BimmerWorld Racing drivers Seth Thomas, James Clay and Matt Richmond donated $7,500 of the team’s winnings to the Wheelchair Foundation in a check presentation ceremony following the SCCA SPEED World Challenge Touring Car race Sunday, Oct. 17 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
Thomas and Clay presented the check to Jason Katz, Associate Director of Community Relations for the Wheelchair Foundation, which will be used to purchase 100 new wheelchairs for those in need.
“The Wheelchair Foundation is grateful for the support that BimmerWorld Racing has shown us,” Katz said. “Their donation means granting the gift of mobility to those who need it most. We are pleasantly surprised at the generous amount that BimmerWorld was able to donate and we look forward to a continued relationship with BimmerWorld Racing.”
“You really can’t describe in words how this affects the kids and the families until you see their faces,” Thomas said describing the impact of the team’s donation. “The Wheelchair Foundation is an organization that does a lot of good for people throughout the world. We’re just glad that we can be a part of it and that we can help them out. We want to help kids and adults have fun with their lives, while we’re having fun racing. It’s just something that we can give back.”
The Wheelchair Foundation has delivered more than 300,000 wheelchairs in 129 countries to adults, teens and children and distributes an average of 10,000 wheelchairs each month. A $75 tax-deductible donation can help deliver one wheelchair to a recipient in need.
The Wheelchair Foundation is a nonprofit organization leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities, to promote the joy of giving, create global friendship, and to deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen and adult in the world who needs one, but cannot afford one. For these people, the Wheelchair Foundation delivers Hope, Mobility and Freedom.
For more information about the Wheelchair Foundation, visit www.wheelchairfoundation.org or call 877-378-3839.
For more information on BimmerWorld Racing, visit www.bimmerworldracing.com
Bimmerworld Racing has teamed up with the Wheelchair Foundation to grant mobility to those in need. Team Bimmerworld has finished a pulse pounding season of adventures on the race track. Driving with passion and skill, the team from Bimmerwold has had a successful race season this year.
Making it even more of a success was the generous gift Bimmerworld donated to the Wheelchair Foundation. On Sunday Oct 17, at Laguna Seca raceway in Salinas Ca, Bimmerworld finished the last race in a 10 race season. In a post race ceremony, Seth Thomas, a driver with team Bimmerwold presented the Wheelchair Foundation with a check for $7,500.
“We are happy that we can help people all over the world gain mobility. With this donation, the Wheelchair Foundation can give 100 people wheelchairs.” James Clay, also a driver and the team owner, was excited to share his team’s success with the Wheelchair Foundation. “It is a great cause and we were happy to help.”
Special thanks go to Seth Thomas, James Clay and Matt Richmond. Their passion for racing has helped people gain mobility. The Wheelchair Foundation was excited to hear that team Bimmerworld will continue their sponsorship of our program next season!