When Chilean Rotarians Brigitte Kusch and her husband, Luciano, had the chance to meet Wheelchair Foundation founder, Kenneth E. Behring, at the Rotary International convention in Los Angles in June of 2008, they were thrilled to have the opportunity to purchase copies of his book Road to Purpose. In fact, they had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Behring briefly, and have him sign and personalize their copies as well.
Both Brigitte and Luciano felt moved by Mr. Behring’s message of hope, and the personal trials he faced as he sought out the answer to the question of what his “true purpose in life” might be? Road to Purpose afforded them a glimpse into the life that would eventually lead Wheelchair Foundation and Rotary International together in support of helping men, women and children around the world who lack mobility. And both would have an opportunity to personally participate in wheelchair distribution, and witness the miracle of granting others mobility, and see the impact of their own work on wheelchair recipients and their families.
Their experiences with wheelchair distribution allowed them to better understand the significance of their role in caring for their Chilean brothers and sisters, and their fellow man, and brought greater meaning to the work they had already been doing with Rotary. It helped them better see the “purpose” of their efforts.
Flash forward to 2010, when Brigitte and Luciano would return home to Chile, after traveling abroad, to find their home burned to the ground. An unfortunate mishap lead to a raging fire that consumed nearly everything they owned. They arrived on site and were told that everything had been destroyed and that a lifetime’s worth of personal belongings were gone. Still in a state of shock, together they searched through the still smoldering rubble of what was once their home, looking for some significant artifact or relic which they could keep. Among the charred rubble, lay two slightly burned copies of Road to Purpose. It caused them to pause and reflect on all of those individuals who had nothing who they were able to help, and realize that all had not been lost. They both still had their lives, their health and each other. And beyond any material loss, they had been lucky enough to have gained sense of their purpose here on earth.
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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints together with the Wheelchair Foundation helped bring mobility to the people of Santiago Chile. From June 6-7, the LDS Church worked to distribute wheelchairs throughout the city of Santiago to people who needed a wheelchair but could not afford one. The people of Santiago were extremely grateful when receiving their new wheelchairs. With a new sense of empowerment, many of the wheelchair recipients can now go back to school, work and be more independent in their everyday lives.