Independence comes with wheelchairs

People with disability in Vanuatu will become more independent and enjoy their human rights following a donation of more than 300 wheelchairs from the Church of Jesus Christ Latter-Day Saints.

The Disability Promotion & Advocacy Association (DPA) National Coordinator, Mrs Nelly Caleb, said the people of Vanuatu are fortunate to receive the donation of 312 wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, wheelchair cushions and tool kits

“It will help people with disability to move around freely at home and, more importantly, in the community, and empower them to advocate for themselves, “she said

“One of the most important aspects of this donation is the church is also providing training with qualified trainers from USA on how users can maintain and correctly use the wheelchair.

“After speaking with one of the trainees this morning, there is already positive feedback from training in Luganville yesterday

“A trainee, who has been using a wheel chair for many years, say he now knows how to correctly use his wheelchair after attending the first day of the three day training.

“The wheelchairs come in different sizes, are good quality and each trainee is given a wheel chair that matches their body size.

“As some of the people who use the wheelchairs are amputees, hospital staff also attended the training to learn how to move patients from their bed to a wheel chair, and also how to maintain the wheel chairs.

“By working with the church, DPA is working towards its objective of a society that is inclusive, barrier free and rights based for people with disability.

“One of our goals is to assist partners such as the church to support and promote the rights of people with disability.

“DPA believes in the inspiration words of Helen Keller that alone we can do so little, but together we can do so much and will work with individuals and organizations that have similar values.”