Rotarians To Visit Ecuador In August
The Lexington Sunrise Rotary Club has received a grant for $72,000 to deliver special pediatric wheelchairs in Ecuador.
The project represents a collaboration of the Rotary Foundation, District 7570 (Western Virginia and Eastern Tennessee), Rotary District 7610 (Northern Virginia), Rotary District 7670 (Western North Carolina), and the Wheelchair Foundation.
There is an estimated need for 100 million wheelchairs in the world, and Latin America is one of the most neediest areas, said Woody Sadler with the Sunrise Rotary Club.
These wheelchairs will go to children who have neurological disorders coming from birth defects, exposure to toxic substances, or a number of causes. Locals believe that pesticides sprayed on the fields years ago are responsible for the high number of birth defects.
In August, a team of 20 Rotarians will fly to Ecuador to help local Rotarians and qualified medical personnel fit each recipient with his or her wheelchair. The wheelchairs come in three sizes and are equipped with special padding and straps for the safety and comfort of the patient.
Local Rotarians and social services personnel will identify the individuals needing a wheelchair and provide training to the individual and/or their caregivers on the operation and maintenance of the wheelchairs.
Periodic visits over the next year to the patients by social services staff will ensure that the wheelchairs are still needed. They will evaluate the impact the wheelchairs are having on the individuals and their caregivers.
Anyone who would like to help the Rotarians with this project can contact Sadler at [email protected].
WOODY SADLER (right) receives the Ron Ferrill Humanitarian Award from District 7570 Governor Bret Hrbek from Front Royal.
