Even at the first sight, we understood that Mr. Igor was a very active person, because when we arrived for delivering a wheelchair of hope, he came running out of his door toward us, even without lower limbs!

Mr. Igor had received wheelchairs previously, first form the District Social Protection Office 5 years ago which lasted for less than 1 year due to poor quality, then another made in China which was exhausted within 3 years.  He lost the means of moving around and, since then, has been in a desperate need of a wheelchair.

'I do everything in my house.  I do household chores, and fix furniture of poor household in our community' he said.  'Without a wheelchair, it is difficult for me to maintain my active life!'

He got his lower limb amputated in 2001, and due to medical accident, lost his remaining limb in 2007.  When he lost both legs, he felt so depressed and even thought of suicide.  But, in such a depth of despair, his little son's presence offered him great moral support.  Now after emotional recovery, he tries to keep himself busy all day, and not to be pessimistic about life.

We are confident that this new wheelchair will satisfy his needs within his house, and beyond.  Also we trust that his positive attitude and inner strength in overcoming such tragedy will contribute to empower other Disabled People living in his community.

Mrs. Eleuteria Bronola, is 64 years old and lives in Cavite City, Philippines.  She is fighting cancer and undergoes free radiation and chemo therapies at the Philippine General Hospital.  However, her travels (about 90-100 kms) from Cavite to Manila for treatment are not free.

Her husband is also ill.  Before her illness Eleuteria earned a living as a  seamstress and her husband worked as a fisherman.

Now the couple relies on the income of their small convenience store in front of their house and what her children can contribute.

The family is so grateful that with the wheelchair Eleuteria can easily be transported to and from the hospital.  The daughter-in-law was especially profuse in her thanks.

Kok in Malaysia has a spinal cord injury.  He has also injured his foot requiring surgery.  No longer  able to get around he became unemployed.  Recently he was given a job and said  “Thanks God and I am very happy that I finally manage to lead an independent life without having to depend on my family all the time.  Above all, I have regained confidence in life and found the joy of living.”

Mr. Tiburcio Chica,  a farmer from Quezon Province in the Philippines,  was walking home with his wife along a rough path, at dusk when he tripped and fell headlong into a shallow ditch.  His fall caused a C5 cervical cord injury.  He is a patient in the Philippine Orthopedic Center Spine Ward in Manila.