This week my team & I had the honor of delivering new wheelchairs to individuals in the community by partnering with Free Wheelchair Mission. Each visit was unique and incredibly touching. After assembling each wheelchair, we delivered it, shared the gospel, prayed with each person and spent time hearing their stories. Here are a few of the people we had the pleasure of meeting:
Laddy
21 year old Laddy was walking down the street nine years ago when she was approached by robbers. The people who approached her worked for a competing company and held Laddy at gunpoint demanding money and information. When she refused to give them what they wanted, they shot her in the chest. The bullet nearly missed her heart, punctured her lung and hit her spine. Today, Laddy has been in a wheelchair for 9 years. She lives with her 11 year old daughter and her mother who cares for them both. Laddy has recently gained movement back in her arms but remains paralyzed from the waist down. She breathes using a tube implanted in her throat and has open sores that reach down to the bone on her feet because of the lack of movement in her legs. Despite her circumstances, this family remains strong in their faith knowing it was the Lord who provided this blessing.
On Wednesday she received a new foldable wheelchair and a reminder that the Lord hasn’t forgotten about her or her pain.
?
Alejandro
30 year old Alejandro is mentally disabled and has a small amount of function in his legs. Even though he can walk using a great amount of support, he is very limited in what he can do. Alejandro received a new wheelchair and wore a great big smile on his face when he got to try it for the first time. This is a blessing to him and also his family who cares for him.
?
Graciano
Graciano has been in a wheelchair for 32 years. As a 22 year old he was walking down the street when an off duty police officer who happened to be drunk fired his gun. The stray bullet hit Graciano, nearly missing his heart landed near his spine. The bullet is still in his body today. He has been in a wheelchair ever since. When the trial was held for the police officer, he cried and explained how he needed to provide for his 8 children so he could not go to jail. He also labeled Graciano as a criminal, thus the reason he needed to be shot. Graciano was devastated and severely depressed after the incident. He could no longer walk and could see little hope for his future. When his company gave him money to ride the bus to work, he was forced to use the money for food for his family and wheeled his way across town each day. By the grace of God, Graciano received physiological help and now sees hope and purpose for his future. Along with a new wheelchair, Graciano was reminded that the Lord loves him, and has not forgotten about him. Graciano knows that the Lord always has plans for our lives.
?
