Wednesday, May 26, 2010

AMAZING experience in Vietnam

We have been in Vietnam for almost 2 weeks and while here we had the opportunity to help with a few distributions of wheelchairs through the Free Wheelchair Mission. FWM is a non-profit organization that helps provide wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. It was truly an amazing experience to be with these people, to hear their stories, and to know and see these wheelchairs change their lives.

Here are a few of the faces that I will never forget....

This is Di. He is 74 years old and probably the cutest old man alive, I loved him to death. He couldn't really communicate because he was practically deaf, but his smile lit up the room. This is his first Wheelchair and it helps him so much because it is so painful for him to walk because of a broken hip that has left him in severe pain. Without the wheelchair he would not be able to leave the house.
Wheelchair

Wheelchair 15

Meet Dao. He lost one of his legs as a result of the war in 1972 and ever since has been walking with old broken metal crutches. He helps provide for his four children as a fisherman making $1 a day. He is such a sweet heart and this wheelchair will make it so much easier for him to get to work every day. He has been waiting for a wheelchair for 38 years.
Wheelchair 14

Her name is Ni, she is 17 years old, and is so so sweet. She was born without the use of her legs and she has had many surgerys that have left horrible scars all over both of her legs. Her father takes her to and from school everyday and all she has are some crutches. Ni loves to draw and wants to be a fashion designer.
Wheelchair 13


This is Hai, I just LOVE his smile!! He is 38 years old and a father of 3 children...oldest in 4th grade and youngest is 1 1/2 months old. When he was a child he got a horrible fever and the medicine that was given to him caused paralysis in his legs. This wheel chair will help him so much with work and being able to care for his children.
Wheelchair 12

more of the amazing people we had the opportunity to meet...
Wheelchair 3

Wheelchair 8 Wheelchair 4 Wheelchair 6

Wheelchair 2

Wheelchair 11 Wheelchair 10

look at these crutches....can you imagine walking with these for 30 years?
Wheelchair 9

This is such an wonderful cause I really urge you to make a donation. Each wheelchair only costs $59.20 and this includes delivery!! I can honestly say that I have seen the difference it can make.

I have to say thank you to Whitney for everything!! She is a friend of ours and works for Free Wheelchair Mission, so she was the one that set all this up for us.
Can you believe this is her job?? That she gets to make a difference everyday? I am so envious...but if you met Whitney you would know it is the perfect job for her...she is amazing!
Thanks Whitney :)

7 comments:

Whitney said...

I'm so glad this all worked out! Sorry if it got a little crazy there in the beginning! Your pictures, as usual, are beautiful!

Megan McCrindle said...

You might want to edit this one to say "he was nearly deaf," rather than "he was nearly death" at the begining... Yikes!
Sounds like an amazing experience!

Maurice&Tash said...

sooooooo coool I am showing my office buddies!

Austin and Sara said...

oh my gosh Megan thanks!!!! changed that ahhh

Hi! said...

What a beautiful experience for you and especially the recipients. A life changing day for those who received a wheelchair that day. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day-Saints has begun a similar program in the last few years, just read about it 6 months ago or so. There are so many in this world who need. What a simple thing they have had to live without, what a simple thing to make such a drastic change for the better. Thank you for sharing. Wonderful photos.
Love, Irene in Bellevue

Happy Paws Dog Boarding said...

Hi Sara,

What a wonderful opportunity to see your efforts first hand. The pictures are wonderful, and tell the story so well. I am very proud of you guys! I love you very much.
Love, Mom xxxxoooo

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