Sebastien: Now able to learn to read and write!

Born with muscular dystrophy, 9-year old Sebastien has never walked a day in his life. His Mom is a single parent and together they live way below the poverty level in a small village 45 minutes outside of San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Sebastien had also never been to school a day in his life. The small local school's resources are so limited they cannot accept children who are unable to walk unless they have a wheelchair which Sebastien could never afford. So, though intelligent and alert, Sebastien cannot read or write. No wonder his first words to his mother, upon being seated in his new wheelchair were, "Mommy now I can go to school!" Sebastien's opportunities for the future are so much brighter now that he's able to attend school and learn to read and write. What a difference one little wheelchair can make in a person's life!

 

 

Ester Finally get Wheelchair after waiting 18 years!

Though a paraplegic from birth, 18-year old Ester works hard helping her parents as farm workers in Ecuador. Basic salaries for farmhands typically amount to not much more than room and board. So under these conditions it's not surprising that Ester has spent all her life without a wheelchair due to a lack of finances. When Ester received her wheelchair on her 18th birthday there were more than just one set of eyes shedding tears of joy and surprise. Her Father, who has been the main person carrying her around since birth, shed a few tears himself along with his wife. For Ester this was a birthday present she'll never forget!

 

 

Carlos' risky adventure gets him wheelchair he wanted!

Carlos was a normal full of life 16 year old from the countryside of Ecuador. When a hit and run car accident left him permanently paralysed from the waste down everything changed. For the next three years he spent most of his time lying down in his bed upset and angry as his family lacked the finances to get him a wheelchair. When someone gave him a Bible to read, his attitude began to change and he understood that it was better to look on the bright side of things and have faith. After praying, Carlos decided to drag himself unto a bus by himself and make a 4 hour trip to the capital city of Quito. His plan was simple: Go to a TV station and beg them to air him asking for a wheelchair. He finally made it to a station where the manager, Javier, listened to him carefully and then smiled saying, "Boy is this your lucky day. I happen to know of some "clowns" who have come to our country with wheelchairs to donate. Fortunately Javier called us immediately as we were down to our last wheelchair. 30 minutes later, Carlos was sitting in his new wheelchair shaking his head from side to side as if to say, "I can't believe this is happening so fast!" Simultaneously as he was trying to fight back tears of joy he kept saying over and over, "I'll never forget this day as long as I live!"