ABOUT US
Wheelchairs of Hope is a network of people partnering together to transform lives by giving the gift of mobility and hope. We gather wheelchairs that sit idle in Japan to give as free gifts to people in other countries (regardless of faith, ethnic origin or any other factor) who need a wheelchair. We collect, clean/repair, and transport the chairs, delivering in conjunction with like-minded people groups in the receiving country.
You might say Wheelchairs of Hope had it’s very beginning when a 3 year old American boy living with his family in Yamagata, Japan became quite ill and needed a wheelchair.
It was a sunny day when his first chair, a bright yellow one, arrived.
Daniel’s disease, (later diagnosed as a degenerative disease called NCL, also known as Batten Disease) was progressive, and that yellow wheelchair was just the first of many for him. Living in Japan Daniel benefited from modern medicine and a system to supply quality medical equipment to disabled children. Daniel was given mobility and his family knew future needs would be provided for in his declining condition. Unfortunately, there are over 20 million people in the world who are not as fortunate as he. For some a wheelchair costs their entire year ’s wages.
This was troubling to Daniel’s family and friends, especially as they saw outgrown wheelchairs, some in excellent condition, sitting unused.
Daniel’s family believed strongly the teachings and example of Christ. They were compelled to act deem (believe/think, accept) compassion an integral part of faith. In the fall of 2000 they began talking with their friends about the opportunity of taking the wheelchairs that sat idle in Japan and using them to give hope to those in countries who cannot afford a wheelchair.
Since then many wheelchairs have been collected, and people in many Asian countries have been given a free chair. There have been many hands linking in the chain from collecting, cleaning, transporting and finally delivering the chair to each recipient. Those joining in have grown in number, all working together to make mobility a gift of hope that is realized for many more people.
Copyright(C) 2007 Wheelchairs of Hope All Rights Reserved.