Wheels turn for Philippine Pioneers

Wheels turn for Philippine Pioneers

Wed. July 24th was a day of celebration as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints honored their Pioneer Heritage! This year there was a different kind of celebration as 14 special needs children became pioneers of a new kind. They were recipients of intermediate wheelchairs – the first wheelchairs most of the children had ever had! This was made possible through the joint efforts of LDS Charities (LDSC) and De La Salle University-Dasmarinas (DLSU-D) who partnered to teach a training course where intermediate wheelchairs were prepared for each person individually.

The clients came from Philippines General Hospital (PGH) and the city of Mandaluyong. Many suffered from cerebral palsy or spina bifida. They were sweet children whose families were thrilled with the prospects of having a wheelchair that really fit the child. When they were told of this opportunity, they were also told that it was being done as part of a training and the days of measuring and fitting would be long and tiring. The families were willing to sacrifice to get wheelchairs for their children. Their stories are an inspritation.

Mark actually didn’t need an intermediate chair with a harness but he received a roughrider chair that was modified to fit his body. He was given a chair before but could barely sit it in because of a bump on is back. When a doctor at PGH saw him trying to fit in the chair he realized that it would never work. A physical therapist told Mark and his family to come to the hospital on Mon. July 22. They were then transported to DLSU-D to be fitted and measured for a chair. Mark’s family was surprised that he had been chosen to receive a special chair.
 
 When the family returned on July 24, they found that a roughrider chair had been modified with padding and supports so he could comfortably sit in the chair. He could even reach the wheels and propel himself forward. This 13 year old young man had the most wonderful smile of accomplishment on his face!

Three-year-old Princess Joy had another story. Her mom told us that at birth, her head was large, she had spina bifida, and one club foot. When she was a month old, she underwent surgery to relieve the hydrocephalus condition that had developed. Her family lives in Mandaluyong City and they have been working with Wennah Marquez to get a wheelchair for Princess. One of the requirements for receiving a wheelchair through LDSC is to give 40 hours of service. Princess Joy’s family had been hoping to receive a chair and had already accomplished the needed service hours. When the call came to come for the wheelchair fitting, they were so excited.

Princess Joy’s mom said, “We had very little money to care for Princess and were grateful for help of government services. We have great faith in God and knew that He would help us. This wheelchair will bring much change for our family. Princess is getting very heavy and her stroller is too small. With this chair, she will even be able to go to school because it has a table on it!”

Jeron is a twenty-one year old man with cerebral palsy. His father and mother have carried him everywhere he went for the past 20 years. This will be the first chair Jeron has had. His parents said that the chair will bring many changes to their family and help a lot. They said, “He can go with us now, even if it is just walking in the morning!”

 Elder Smith, a Wheelchair specialist missionary who has been here in Dasmarinas for the whole month of training said, “Eighty percent of the families who receive wheelchairs for their children say that the biggest change that will come to the family is that they can go out together. Many times the child would be left at home with some on to care for him. But with a chair, the whole family can be out together.”

JayVee’s mom, Eden, voiced that same thing. She said, “This wheelchair will make it so much easier to care for JayVee. We will be able to take him out of the house so he will not just have to lay down all the time.”

 John Lawrence and his twin brother, John David are four years old. John Lawrence has cerebral palsy and is in need of an intermediate wheelchair. His mom, Jennylyn said, “We are so happy about getting a wheelchair. John Lawrence is getting heavy for me to carry. This will be so useful to go around. We will be able to do everything!”

Ed Christian, a thirteen year old with cerebral palsy, was adopted by his uncle Edwardo, who cannot work because he must care for the boy. He was holding him on his lap and feeding him. The love he had for Ed was so evident. His uncle said that Ed had a stroller at one time but it was now damaged. Edwardo was so excited to get a wheelchair for Ed. He said it would help support Ed’s body and keep it in the right position.

 Mildred, a student in the Intermediate Wheelchair training and is currently a physician at PGH. She actually examined Ed Christian at the hospital and she was assigned to modify a chair for him. She thought that his chair would need only a few changes but she learned of many changes needed when he  actually sat in the chair. 

 After the wheelchairs were fitted for the patient’s individual needs, it was important to make the chair look like a regular wheelchair with the nice black fabric. Edwardo Guevarra, has owned a tailoring business for forty years. His business makes the white uniforms for the students there at DLSU-D. Dean Cecilia is a family friend and when he learned of the need for a tailor to help with the wheelchairs, he wanted to donate his time and talents. He was able to look at a piece of foam that had been cut to fit the shape of the patient’s body and then figure out a pattern, cut the fabric and sew a covering that fit the foam perfectly. It was a very necessary skill needed to finish the wheelchairs properly.

The long day finally came to an end about 8 P.M. as 14 tired but very happy families returned to their homes.  But the celebrations is just beginning as DLSU-D and LDS Charities join forces in trying to meet the needs of those who cannot walk by providing modified wheelchairs that they can enjoy!

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