Transforming lives by sending refurbished wheelchairs throughout Asia

Q: How are chairs transported overseas?

Volunteers from Japan have taken wheelchairs with them as they travel throughout Asia.  Many airlines have cooperated with the project and allowed the chairs to go as gratis excess baggage.  Cooperating airlines have included:  Thai Airways, Bangkok Airlines. Philippine Airlines, and Japan Airlines

We also plan to begin sending containers as more wheelchairs are gathered and funding increases.

Q: How can I get involved?

Spread the word about Wheelchairs of Hope.

Transport:  Traveling from Japan to another Asian country?  Why not pick up a donated wheelchair to pass along?

Shipping:  Provide international shipping, or introduce us to those who can

Give:  Tax deductible financial donations can be made online through WorldVenture http://www.worldventure.com/Give/Support-Projects-Ministries/Projects/Wheelchairs_Medical%20Equip.html   

Checks may be sent to: 1501 W Mineral Ave.  Littleton CO 80120, and should be designated to: “Special Project #6317-932 Wheelchairs of Hope”.  100% of your gift will be sent on to Wheelchairs of Hope.  

Explore:  Find people, hospitals, orphanages or other institutions that need wheelchairs.

Donate a wheelchair:  If you are living in Japan and have a wheelchair in good condition sitting idle and would like to donate it please contact us at:  

Start a local chapter of Wheelchairs of Hope! We will help you get started.

Q:  How can I get on your mailing list?

Go to “Contact Us” and let us know you would like to be added to the mailing list.  (All mailings are in Japanese.)

Q:  Do you have NPO status?

Yes, on February 12, 2008, Wheelchairs of Hope was registered as an Japanese NPO in Chiba.  

Q: Who can receive a wheelchair from Wheelchairs of Hope?

Anyone living outside Japan with demonstrated financial need is eligible. Priority is given to Asian countries with underdeveloped welfare infrastructures.

Q:  Can people in Japan receive a wheelchair?  

Because of liability issues and our desire to protect those who donate the wheelchairs in Japan, Wheelchairs of Hope has a policy to not donate wheelchairs to people inside Japan.   

Q: Do you accept chairs donated from North America?

Wheelchairs of Hope is a Japanese project.  We work to involve Japanese communities in reaching out to disabled in countries around them by using the chairs sitting idle here in Japan.    Chairs from North America are not constructed using metric tools which would make it difficult for us to make any necessary repairs.  Also, we have found our Asian neighbors asking for Asian sized chairs.  

Q Why are you focusing on Asia?

The seat on a standard adult Japanese wheelchair fit the Asian build well.  

Q:  How did Wheelchairs of Hope begin?

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 wheelchair, 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.  With compassion an integral part of their faith, they felt compelled to act.  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 (regardless of faith, ethnic origin or any other constraint) have been given a free chair.  Many hands have linked together to collect, clean, transport and finally deliver the chair to each recipient.  The informal network of people and groups that make up Wheelchairs of Hope continues to grow, all working together to make mobility a gift of hope that is realized for many more people.