Wheelchairs for Haiti

The current situation in Haiti is truly a crisis. In a country that is known for being the poorest country in the western hemisphere, being hit by a powerful earthquake is a tragic circumstance hitting folks hard who were just beginning to rise for the last disaster just a few years ago being struck by a hurricane.

Haiti is close to my heart. Mobility International, has a close relationship with Mountain Top Ministries (MTM). MTM is just out of Port au Prince by a town called Petion-Ville. Kathy Korge Albergate, a member of the Mobility International team volunteers and teaches English as a Second Language (ESL) at Mountain Top Ministries. Kathy had just returned from Haiti on Friday the 9th of January.

On the 12th of January a team of nurses from Chicago that Kathy had spent the previous week with were due to return to the states. The earthquake prevented their return. As I write this letter (Jan. 17, 2010) they are still caring for the Haitian people. Pictured to the right is Kathy being brought to church on January 3, 2010.

During the week of Dec. 26th through Jan. 2, yours truly was in Jamaica and met with Rotarians there on Tuesday Dec. 29th, 2009 to discuss the project of sending All Terrain Wheelchairs (ATW) to Haiti. Included in the meeting with the Rotary Club of Falmouth, Jamaica was District 7020 Governor Alberga Graham and Assistant Governor – Govind Chulani. They were very interested in the wheelchair, as the terrain in Haiti and Jamaica is mountainous and there are few smooth surfaces. Regular wheelchairs wear our very quickly.

The following link explains the All Terrain Wheelchair program before the Haiti earthquake, it is named the Mobility Christmas Story.

Shortly after I met with the Rotarians in Jamaica I sent Governor A.C. an email expressing my excitement: Haiti letter. I learned that the Jamaica Rotarians were planning a work week in April in Haiti. Even at that time, there was a lot of work to do in Haiti.

Times are much different now. Now that the earthquake has struck, there is an immediate need for water, food, medical supplies and wheelchairs. With the devastation, there is more need than ever to get the Haitians, that now are physically challenged, the proper equipment.

Regular wheelchairs do not withstand the terrain of a country like Haiti. The paint bearly fades, before the chairs are in unusable condition.

Mobility International is the company behind the All Terrain Wheelchair built for situations and terrain found in Haiti. The forward place wheels keep the rider from tipping forward and provide stability in areas that one does not find many level surfaces. The Mobility International ATW is built rugged to last 5 years in full compliance with World Health Organization guidelines.

If you would like to support the All Terrain Wheelchair project please send a $220 donation to Medical Supplies Network, Inc.

Checks should be made payable to "ATW Wheelchair-Haiti Fund" and can be mailed to Medical Supplies Network, Inc., 1123 South Erie, Tulsa, OK 74112.

If you would like further information please feel free to contact me at steve@6110times.org