Food for the Poor distributes 1,000 wheelchairs

Jul 08, 2017 News

…as third drive launched
Through a collaborative effort with the Free Wheelchair Mission of the USA, Food for the Poor (FFP) (Guyana) Incorporated has launched its third Wheelchair Distribution Programme.

A wheelchair recipient is flanked by staff of Food for the Poor Guyana Inc.

The collaboration, which began in 2015, saw a total of over 1000 wheelchairs being distributed across the country, and over 500 more are expected to be allotted to those in need this year.
The Free Wheelchair Mission was founded by Laurie and Don Schoendorfer in 2001 as a faith-based, non-profit humanitarian organization; it has over the years been able to provide wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations.
During the launch on Thursday, Jameel Davis, a Senior Manager of Food for the Poor Guyana, Inc noted the wheelchairs are available in various sizes; “large, small, medium and extra large.”
He urged persons interested in acquiring a wheelchair to “contact FFP as soon as possible so that we can help those with disabilities to become more mobile and improve their lives”.
“Once we have that, we can deliver the wheelchair to you. Every wheelchair will be fitted to the person’s size, so there will be no discomfort.”
After the last two distribution exercises, Davis noted that the recipients of the wheelchairs have expressed gratitude to FFP.
There are two types of wheelchairs to be distributed; the GEN2, which is not collapsible, and the GEN3, which is collapsible.
The distribution process will be conducted by the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, the Palms, St. Francis Developers in Berbice, Linden Hospital Complex, the Suddie Hospital in Essequibo and FFP.
Persons in need of wheelchairs can contact Ms. Hyacinth Massay, Ms. Barbara Lawrence, Mr. Alex Foster, Ms. Bollers or Ms. Donella Drakes, Dr. Sonia Gray and Mr. Compton Giddings respectively, of the various organizations mentioned above.
While those in need of wheelchairs are able to receive them at no cost, the name, address, copy of their identification card and a most recent photograph displaying the disability of the person in need or a recommendation from a doctor must be submitted to the various entities to verify their authenticity.
Persons collecting wheelchairs on behalf of those in need are also required to walk with some form of identification.
FFP also distributes Personal Energy Transportation (PET) carts and electronic wheelchairs to those in need to assist with their mobility.