Wheelchairs for Haiti

Our District has a long and proud history as a strong supporter of the Wheelchair Foundation since its inception in the year 2000. The tragic earthquake in Haiti has created an enormous need for wheelchairs in that country for the many survivors who have now become amputees, or have suffered injuries which has taken away their mobility. The following is an excerpt from a recent message from Father Rick Frechette.

“After weeks of frenetic activity, we are returning to a state of equilibrium. Our hospital had become a trauma MASH unit, as had all other medical centers in Port au Prince that are still standing. We were able to offer about 30 surgeries a day at four sites (two in our hospital, one on our hospital grounds in a tent, and one at the St. Camillus Hospital, which we staffed for the emergency.) Many of these, sadly, were amputations – sometimes two for the same adult or child.”

“To give an idea of the size of the problem, it is likely there are about 20,000 people now who have been amputated or who have orthopedic hardware screwed through their skin to the bone. Port au Prince has about 20 Haitian orthopedic surgeons, and visiting teams to Haiti will soon leave. All 20,000 need to be followed closely for removal of hardware, control of infection, reevaluation of the amputation, and of course for artificial limbs and rehabilitation.”

The Wheelchair Foundation has approached our District knowing of our strong support in the past and our special relationship with Haiti through our friendships with so many of our fellow Rotarians in that country. Our District and the Wheelchair Foundation has set a goal of delivering two containers, or 560 wheelchairs to Haiti as soon as we can get the funds together and arrange the shipping.

Thanks to the vast experience of the Wheelchair Foundation in reacting to natural disasters worldwide this can be accomplished very quickly. All we need are the funds. Through our special arrangement with the Wheelchair Foundation, we can provide these 560 wheelchairs at a cost of $56,000.00, or only $100.00 per wheelchair. I am asking every Rotarian and every Rotary club in District 6960 to join me in making this goal happen as soon as possible.

For further information, please contact Steve Agius at st***@ct********.com.

Steve Agius
Bonita Springs Noon Rotary Club, District 6960
President, Rotary Florida Gift of Life, Inc.
Chairman Wheelchair Foundation Committee
(239) 513-0200
st***@ct********.com

 SOURCE: Rotary District 6960