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Articles from the Wheelchair Foundation headquarters in Danville, CA and major news source outlets.

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Puerto Vallarta: Wheelchairs Make a Difference

“I can’t think of too many things that can make a significant difference in people’s lives, but the Wheelchair Foundation makes a major difference every day.”

With these words, Rick Todd, a Rotarian from California’s District 5300, succinctly summed up a successful wheelchair distribution in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He vowed to return soon with even more wheelchairs for the needy and disabled residents of this seaside community. Arturo Vazquez Serrano and other members of Rotary in Puerto Vallarta assisted with the distribution. When recipients were unable to show up to receive a wheelchair in person because of a disability, the wheelchair was delivered to their homes.  Rotarians also shared in the life-changing impact a free wheelchair provides. “I felt a lot of emotion while seeing the recipients of wheelchairs,” said Ed Biebrich. “I saw children who were emotionally and developmentally disabled who, for the first time in their lives, were able to move around independently. The people were fantastic. It was a gratifying experience.

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Pennies from Heaven

girls_pennies_heavenPennies from heaven into a Pot,
Pennies from heaven we don’t need a lot
The pennies we give will help to provide
Wheelchairs for those who need the ride.

Please save nickels, dimes, and quarters to raise a small contribution towards purchasing 12 wheelchairs to donate to the Wheelchair Foundation in memory of Jean Shumway.
May 8, 2004.

Judy Piquet, President of the Relief Society of Corona California, first heard about The Wheelchair Foundation through The Ensign, the monthly LDS church magazine, “I was intrigued by the Wheelchair Foundation’s mission to fight immobility, so I went on the web site to learn more about the foundation. I read several stories and saw the video ‘The Power of One’, which really moved me, it brought me to tears. I knew I wanted to get involved. Being the President of the Relief Society, I felt the Wheelchair Foundation would be a wonderful project for us to adopt for our annual women’s conference. It just seemed like the right thing to do.”

Judy then put together a committee with Shellie Hunt and contacted the Wheelchair Foundation. “The Wheelchair Foundation was extremely helpful in getting us materials to share with our group. A month prior to the Relief Society conference in early May, Judy with the help of her friends and fellow society members, handed out 600 Chinese take out containers with the “Pennies from heaven poem” on the front as well as a small request: When you find spare change, toss it in the container. Throughout the month, people found change in their car seat, in-between couch cushions and while doing the laundry. Nickels, dimes, quarters and pennies all were added to these small Chinese take out containers.

Judy decided to raise these funds in memory of Jean Shumway, a member of the LDS church who passed away earlier this year. “It is a great project to remember a great person.” The Corona California Relief Society had a goal to raise enough funds to sponsor 12 wheelchairs. One month and 500 pounds of spare change later, $5,625 was raised. This amount was enough to sponsor 75 wheelchairs. The Relief Society of Corona California was able to raise more than six times the amount of their original goal! The Wheelchair Foundation would like to thank Judy Piquet for her fantastic fundraising efforts.

If you would like to organize a fundraiser for the Wheelchair Foundation, please contact us and we will send you marketing material, inspirational videos as well as donation forms and brochures.

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Noah's Bagels is Taking a Bite Out of Immobility

noah_groupDuring the month of June, the 81 Noah’s Bagels stores in California, Oregon and Washington kicked off a fund raising effort to provide wheelchairs to people who need one but cannot afford one.  Soon, the fruits of that effort will be changing the lives of individuals in California, Oregon and Washington.

At an event at the Blackhawk Automotive Museum in Danville, Noah’s Bagels presented a check for $45,000 to Wheelchair Foundation Founder Ken Behring. The money was collected as part of a June promotional fund-raising effort at all 81 Noah’s Bagels locations in the three western states. Thanks to the donation, 600 wheelchairs will be delivered to physically disabled individuals in these three states. The wheelchairs will be distributed by front line firefighters through a partnership with California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)

“This year we have joined in partnership with The Wheelchair Foundation to raise funds for people without mobility in and around the neighborhoods where we do business,” said Dan Dominguez, Senior Vice President of Operations with Noah’s Bagels. “I am extremely proud of our employees who gave so much of
themselves, and our fabulous customers who very generously supported this humanitarian effort.”

“We are very happy to have Noah’s joining our partnership to end immobility in our local communities,” said Wheelchair Foundation founder Kenneth Behring. “Working with us and the firefighters, Noahs’ dedication will make a difference to hundreds who need a wheelchair, but cannot afford one”

“As first responders, our firefighters understand the devastation caused by immobilizing injuries and also understand the meaning of commitment to our communities,” said Lou Paulson, President of California Professional Firefighters. “It is a privilege for us to be involved in an effort that will have such a profound impact on the quality of life for our neighbors.”

The Wheelchair Foundation (www.wheelchairfoundation.org) has delivered over 270,000 wheelchairs to people in more than 129 countries in its first four years. Currently, more than 10,000 wheelchairs per month are being delivered internationally.  Each $75 donated sponsors the delivery of a wheelchair that would sell for over $500 in a medical supply store. Noah’s Bagels, (www.noahs.com) a part of the New World Restaurant Group, operates 83 company-owned and two licensed stores, largely in Northern California and the Pacific Northwest.

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Board of Advisor, Ed McMahon Raises Funds for Israel

group_mcmahonJack Drury, President of the Southeast Region of the Wheelchair Foundation called on long time friend, Ed McMahon to help raise funds for containers to Israel. Working with the Florida office of the Jewish Foundation, Ed was the featured guest at the kickoff of the six month fund raiser. The first event raised enough for the first container of 280 wheelchairs.

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Josh Burger Life Story

josh_burgerHello. Many people have questions about me, Joshua Burger. Here’s my story:  I was born December 4, 1990. I have a condition called Ateleosteogenesis Syndrome Type III. There are only a handful of cases recorded and four or five survivors in the world.

When I was a 41/2-month-old fetus, ultrasound testing showed me to be “abnormal.” My parents were encouraged to abort me, as “he would not live anyway”.

Abortion was not the answer for them (or me!) But like many who discuss philosophically what is right and wrong, my parents never for a moment thought that they would ever face this decision in reality.

Two beliefs strengthened them. First, that life begins at conception and that it is not anyone’s prerogative to end it, however brief it is. Second, they believe that the quality of a life is not for anyone to judge, whether it is a mental or physical impairment. There are many instances of children and adults beating the odds, not only to survive, but also to thrive and contribute to society. They just couldn’t give up hope.  “This fetus is going to die anyway,” said the experts. “You are going to suffer physically, emotionally, and financially much longer if you don’t act now. We’re only thinking of your best interests.”

It is true. There is a price to pay. I have survived two seizures, two surgeries, five hospitalizations, a choking, and respiratory arrest twice, helped only by my Dads rescue breathing for me. I am on constant oxygen and medications for life.

My parents say they have also survived the joy of my smile, watching me learn to roll and change direction with my feet, watching me learn to walk on my knees, and seeing me hear for the first time. They say I am funny and smart and make people smile. They have seen me grow and overcome so much that their best hopes are realized.

We all endure the stares and the questions because giving me my life was the right decision, then and now.

I am in middle school and doing well. I am confident and am very happy. I really enjoy making others laugh. Girls like me, too.

My parents proudly say they would not change me even if they could. They think that I am perfect just the way God made me. They also say that God smiled when He formed me and that He wrapped their blessing in disguise. Wow!

John 3:16. Look it up, read it, the answers are all there.

Jo*********@sb*******.net

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