Free Wheelchair Mission Explained

The Free Wheelchair Mission is an international faith-based nonprofit, humanitarian organization providing wheelchairs for people with disabilities in developing nations who do not have the resources to obtain one, of whom the World Health Organization estimates number over 70 million.[1] [2]

Impact

The Free Wheelchair Mission has given away over 1.3 million wheelchairs to people in need in over 94 countries.[3] [4] [5] [6]

Countries Served by Free Wheelchair Mission[7] [8]

Afghanistan[9] Ghana[10] Pakistan[11]
AlbaniaGuatemala[12] [13] Panama
AngolaGuineaPapua New Guinea
ArgentinaGuyana[14] [15] Paraguay
ArmeniaHaiti[16] [17] Peru[18] [19]
BangladeshHonduras[20] Philippines
BelarusIndia[21] Romania
BelizeIndonesiaRwanda
BeninIraqSamoa
BoliviaJamaica[22] [23] [24] Senegal
BotswanaJordanSierra Leone
Brazil[25] KazakhstanSomaliland
BurundiKenyaSouth Africa[26] [27]
CambodiaKyrgyzstanSri Lanka
CameroonLaos[28] Sudan
Chile[29] LebanonSyria
ChinaLesothoTanzania
Colombia[30] [31] LiberiaThailand
ComorosMadagascarTibet
Costa Rica[32] [33] [34] MalawiTogo
CubaMalaysiaTonga
Democratic Republic of the Congo[35] MaliTrinidad
DjiboutiMauritaniaUganda[36] [37]
Dominican Republic[38] Mexico[39] Ukraine
EcuadorMoldovaUnited Arab Emirates
EgyptMorocco[40] Uzbekistan
El SalvadorMozambiqueVietnam[41] [42] [43] [44]
Eswatini[45] NepalYemen
EthiopiaNicaraguaZambia
FijiNigerZimbabwe
GabonNigeria

Headquartered in Irvine, California, this organization was founded by Dr. Don Schoendorfer, who has a PhD in biomedical engineering from MIT and owns over 60 patents.[46] In 2008, Schoendorfer was awarded the civilian Above and Beyond Medal of Honor by retired General Colin Powell at a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.[47]

Other awards received by the organization and/or its founder include the CLASSY Award for Health and Well-being in 2012;[48] the US House of Representatives Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in 2010; the White House Faith-Based Initiatives “Portraits of Compassion- International Service” in 2008;[49] the White House Call to Service Award in 2007; a Proclamation from Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley in 2007; the Entrepreneur Dream Award from Loyola Marymount University in 2006; a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Assembly in 2006; and the Top Orange County Nonprofit by OC Coast Magazine Community Awards in 2014.[50]

Working in partnership with other like-minded groups, Free Wheelchair Mission has distributed wheelchairs in over 94 developing countries around the world, delivering its one-millionth wheelchair in mid-2017.[51]

Funding for the wheelchairs are provided by private and public donations including individuals, groups, corporations, churches, universities, and foundations. To save on costs and ensure quality control, the wheelchairs are shipped from the factory by the container and assembled by pre-approved distribution partners in recipient countries, which will then be distributed and given to recipients.

Miracle Wheels Book

On December 6, 2022, Founder, Dr. Don Schoendorfer released a book entitled Miracle Wheels: The Story of a Mission to Bring Mobility to the World. In it Schoendorfer shares the story behind the “miracle wheels” that have transformed the lives of more than 1.3 million people living with disabilities across 94 developing countries.[52]

Wheelchairs

Free Wheelchair Mission wheelchairs include the GEN_1 wheelchair, the original design; the GEN_2 wheelchair, a more customized fit that received FDA clearance in 2012; and the GEN_3 wheelchair, a foldable version of the GEN_2 for ease in transportation and storage that received FDA clearance in 2013.

GEN_1 made headlines for its simple yet revolutionary retrofitting of a white plastic chair into a multipurpose mobility tool for the less-abled.[53] The design features a standard white resin lawn chair that is positioned and fastened to a steel frame, with two mountain bike tires serving as the wheels. Schoendorfer described it as a “one-size-fits-all” model.[54]

The GEN_2 and GEN_3 come in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra-large, and can be appropriately adjusted to fit each recipient.[55]

Recognition

In August 2019, the organization was featured by Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, on their Instagram feed along with other organizations including the Earth Day Network and BlinkNow Foundation.[56]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wheelchair Service Training Package - Basic level . https://web.archive.org/web/20131028105357/http://www.who.int/disabilities/technology/wheelchairpackage/en/ . dead . October 28, 2013 . World Health Organization . 21 July 2017.
  2. Web site: 2022-10-04 . Nonprofits Provides Wheelchairs to People in 94 Countries . 2023-02-10 . The Chronicle of Philanthropy . en.
  3. Web site: Schoendorfer . Don . 2023-01-06 . I saw a woman who needed a wheelchair drag herself across a street. Now I've given away 1 million wheelchairs . 2023-02-10 . Fox News . en-US.
  4. Web site: 2017-07-13 . 1 million wheelchair donations and Irvine nonprofit keeps rolling . 2023-02-10 . Orange County Register . en-US.
  5. Web site: News . E. I. N. . Cooper . Brad . 2022-10-12 . FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION ANNOUNCES NEW BOOK FROM FOUNDER DON SCHOENDORFER . 2023-02-11 . EIN News . en-US.
  6. Web site: News . Precinct Reporter . 2021-07-15 . Free Wheelchair Mission: The Miracle of Mobility . 2023-03-20 . Precinct Reporter Group News . en-US.
  7. Web site: 2017-10-24 . Free Wheelchair Mission Where We Work . 2023-02-10 . Free Wheelchair Mission.
  8. Web site: 2022-10-04 . Nonprofits Provides Wheelchairs to People in 94 Countries . 2023-03-20 . The Chronicle of Philanthropy . en.
  9. Web site: Paralyzed woman receives wheelchair after community-bonding event between ANA, ANP . 2023-02-11 . DVIDS . en.
  10. Web site: GNA . Global Evangelical Church launches disability policy and donates wheelchairs News Ghana . 2023-02-10 . newsghana.com.gh . en-US.
  11. Web site: staff-author . 2021-12-13 . Applied Medical’s Services Go Beyond Healthcare . 2023-03-20 . Orange County Business Journal . en-US.
  12. Web site: [node:Title] ]. 2023-02-10 . www.csrwire.com . en.
  13. Web site: [node:Title] ]. 2023-03-20 . www.csrwire.com . en.
  14. Web site: 2018-02-24 . 10 Berbice families get new homes from Food for the Poor . 2023-02-10 . Stabroek News . en-us.
  15. Web site: 2014-02-22 . Rotary unveils 'Gift of Life' billboard . 2023-02-10 . Stabroek News . en-us.
  16. Web site: Lopez-Alvar . Nicole . 2021-08-16 . How to help Haiti earthquake victims: List of organizations accepting donations & more . 2023-02-10 . WPLG . en.
  17. Web site: Lopez-Alvar . Nicole . 2021-08-16 . How to help Haiti earthquake victims: List of organizations accepting donations & more . 2023-03-20 . WPLG . en.
  18. Web site: Adeniji . Ade . Passing the Torch: A Family Foundation Empowers Dozens of Young Philanthropists . 2023-02-10 . Inside Philanthropy . en-US.
  19. Web site: News . H. M. E. . Provider donates gift of mobility . 2023-02-11 . www.hmenews.com . en.
  20. Web site: Writer . EARLE CORNELIUS Staff . Manheim Twp. based Central American Relief Efforts provides food, medicine and wheelchairs to Honduras . 2023-02-10 . LancasterOnline . en.
  21. Web site: 2011-02-16 . FWM, Sathyam get together to distribute free wheelchairs . 2023-02-10 . Christian Messenger . en-US.
  22. Web site: 550 Wheelchairs for Persons with Disabilities – Jamaica Information Service . 2023-02-10 . jis.gov.jm.
  23. Web site: Wheelchairs Presented to Needy Persons – Jamaica Information Service . 2023-02-10 . jis.gov.jm.
  24. Web site: 2016-05-20 . Tufton promises greater facilitation of charity groups . 2023-03-20 . jamaica-gleaner.com . en.
  25. Web site: 2023-02-09 . No ano em que completa 70 anos de fundação em Mirandópolis, Rotary Club faz distribuição de cadeiras de rodas . 2023-02-10 . AGORA NA REGIÃO . pt-BR.
  26. Web site: Archillies . Cindy . [WATCH] Wheels of change: Prisoners changing lives for good ]. 2023-02-11 . ewn.co.za . en.
  27. Web site: thobilemlangeni . 2019-12-08 . Diligence is her solution . 2023-02-11 . Mpumalanga News . en-US.
  28. Web site: 2011-08-01 . Free Wheelchair Mission's "Magic of Mobility" Fundraiser Nets $1 Million . 2023-02-11 . Orange County Register . en-US.
  29. Web site: 2021-05-16 . Sillas de plástico con ruedas para votantes en La Serena: son parte de una iniciativa internacional . 2023-02-10 . BioBioChile - La Red de Prensa Más Grande de Chile . es.
  30. Web site: 2012-08-15 . Magic of Mobility Gala raises funds for Free Wheelchair Mission equalling 15,810 wheelchairs . 2023-02-10 . Orange County Register . en-US.
  31. Web site: Semana . 2013-10-30 . Indignación: donaron sillas de ruedas plásticas . 2023-02-10 . Semana.com Últimas Noticias de Colombia y el Mundo . spanish.
  32. Web site: La movilidad de las personas es un derecho humano . 2023-02-10 . Noticias de Guanacaste y Costa Rica. Heraldo de la region chorotega.
  33. Web site: Times . The Tico . 2020-09-09 . Mobility matters: How one Costa Rica nonprofit has changed thousands of lives . 2023-02-11 . The Tico Times Costa Rica News Travel Real Estate . en-US.
  34. Web site: bsommers@record-eagle.com . BRETT A. SOMMERS . Ely's Odyssey . 2023-03-20 . Traverse City Record-Eagle . en.
  35. Web site: Tomorowitz . Elena . The Wheelchoir . 2023-02-11 . Idaho Press . en.
  36. Web site: Müller . Felix . 2022-01-27 . Kino Hamburg: "Monobloc" erzählt von globalen Ungleichheiten . 2023-02-10 . www.abendblatt.de . de-DE.
  37. Web site: Mediatheken-Tipp: "Monobloc" (NDR) . 2023-02-11 . www.filmdienst.de . de.
  38. Web site: M . Justine . 2022-11-09 . Ce dispositif accessible transforme les chaises de jardin en fauteuils roulants . 2023-03-20 . Creapills . fr-FR.
  39. Web site: Free Wheelchair Mission Announces Arrival of 550 Wheelchairs to Mexico . 2023-02-11 . pvangels.com.
  40. News: Holbrook . Patricia . Compassion turns your talents into gifts . English . The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . 2023-02-11 . 1539-7459.
  41. Web site: From Communist Suppression to Freedom: Navy Scientist Endures, Pays it Forward . 2023-02-11 . DVIDS . en.
  42. Web site: News . Precinct Reporter . 2021-07-15 . Free Wheelchair Mission: The Miracle of Mobility . 2023-02-11 . Precinct Reporter Group News . en-US.
  43. Web site: Wheelchair ministry in Vietnam frees people to earn a living . 2023-02-11 . www.globalsistersreport.org . en.
  44. Web site: Wheelchair ministry in Vietnam frees people to earn a living . 2023-03-20 . www.globalsistersreport.org . en.
  45. Web site: staff-author . 2021-12-13 . Applied Medical's Services Go Beyond Healthcare . 2023-02-10 . Orange County Business Journal . en-US.
  46. Web site: One Million Wheelchairs Donated to People in Developing Nations. Disabled World. 4 July 2017 . en-US. 2019-05-20.
  47. Web site: Irvine wheelchair maker gets civilian Medal of Honor. 2008-04-10. Orange County Register. en-US. 2019-05-20.
  48. Web site: Classy Awards, Returning Spring 2019. www.classy.org. 2019-05-20.
  49. Web site: White House Conference Highlights Impact of President's Faith-Based and Community Initiative. www.christiannewswire.com. 2019-05-20.
  50. Web site: Coast Community Awards. 2014-03-17. Orange County Register. en-US. 2019-05-20.
  51. News: Chan. Alex. 'They get people off the ground': Irvine organization celebrates donation of 1 million wheelchairs. Los Angeles Times. 16 July 2017.
  52. News: 2022-10-12 . FREE WHEELCHAIR MISSION ANNOUNCES NEW BOOK FROM FOUNDER DON SCHOENDORFER . en-US . EIN News . 2023-03-20.
  53. Web site: designboom . lea zeitoun I. . 2022-11-14 . these retrofitted plastic chairs address basic mobility needs in developing countries . 2023-03-20 . designboom architecture & design magazine . en.
  54. Web site: Reed . Jeremiah . Wheelchair Group On A Mission – Brevard NC . 2023-03-20 . The Transylvania Times . en.
  55. Web site: Free Wheelchair Mission Our Wheelchairs. 2017-10-20. Free Wheelchair Mission. 2019-05-20.
  56. News: Meghan and Harry pick 15 lesser-known causes to support after asking Instagram followers for inspiration . 25 September 2019 . ITV . 5 August 2019.

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