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A life-changing journey to Africa drove Dr. Don Schoendorfer to launch Free Wheelchair Mission, bringing mobility and transformation to the world’s underserved.
From the dust-filled roads of Morocco to the design labs of an MIT-trained engineer, Don’s story is one in every of compassion, innovation, and divine goal. On this interview, we uncover the distinctive threads of his life that carry mobility, dignity, and hope to these typically neglected – and led to awarding him an AARP Purpose Prize.
What particular experiences or observations throughout your trip in Morocco impressed you to deal with the problem of mobility for folks with disabilities?
Once I was in Morocco in 1979, I noticed a fairly stunning scene of a lady crawling on the bottom, making an attempt to cross a mud highway. I had by no means seen anybody crawl like that earlier than. She appeared like she was in ache as she would pull herself slowly throughout the bottom, inch by inch. Individuals had been stepping over her and nobody stopped to assist. This picture caught with me till round 20 years later, once I determined to do one thing to assist.
May you share a particular instance that highlights the transformation within the lives of the people who obtain wheelchairs and likewise their households?
In Chile, we went to a small residence the place a person in his 50s lived together with his mom. He was her full-time caregiver. We gave her a brand-new wheelchair, and after speaking to them extra, we realized that her mom additionally lived with them and wanted a wheelchair. We had been capable of give her one as nicely.
“They might discuss to one another by the partitions of their rooms for years as a result of they weren’t capable of get away from bed and converse nose to nose.”
Everybody within the room was delivered to tears. They might discuss to one another by the partitions of their rooms for years as a result of they weren’t capable of get away from bed and converse nose to nose. However now, with the 2 wheelchairs, they may very well be protected and spend time collectively.
How does your religion activate your mission and your volunteers?
I’ve chosen to give up this entire mission to God as a result of I do know that it’s in the end God’s work that we will be part of. From the start, I’ve gone to God in prayer when it got here to creating selections and because the group grew. I’m working for God, and I do my finest to mirror that to employees, volunteers, and donors. We’re delivering God’s work every time we give the life-transforming present of mobility.
“To date, we’ve given out 1.4 million wheelchairs to kids, adults, and seniors in growing international locations around the globe.”
How did your background as an MIT-trained engineer affect the design and growth of low-cost, mass-produced wheelchairs?
Being skilled at MIT gave me credibility within the discipline. I knew the worth of a prototype and knew how you can create one thing that might enchantment to the person. Not solely was I seeking to create one thing that appeared good, however I wished one thing sensible that might be most useful. Additionally, after having years of expertise within the medical trade, I knew that I wanted to make one thing cheap. These components all got here collectively once I was creating the wheelchair fashions. And immediately, a sturdy wheelchair will be constructed, shipped, and delivered for simply $96.
What does your “dream” wheelchair appear like? Is it your objective to make this concept a actuality for others?
To date, we’ve given out 1.4 million wheelchairs to kids, adults, and seniors in growing international locations around the globe. Our wheelchairs at present are available in 4 sizes. Our distribution companions are skilled to regulate the wheelchairs to finest match every particular person upon receiving the wheelchair. I hope to someday create one that may be simply adjusted by the one who receives the wheelchair, with no instruments wanted.
In previous interviews, you’ve talked about a “join the dots” approach. May you present extra perception into the way you utilized this method in your personal life and addressing mobility for folks in growing international locations?
I started to consider the issues that impressed me, my skills, and the experiences that appeared like coincidences on the time. I couldn’t get the picture of the crawling lady in Morocco out of my thoughts. I had an engineering background. And, I had introduced a prototype of my first wheelchair design to India on a missions journey. From there, folks had been encouraging me to proceed that work. As I related this stuff, I started to appreciate that this was the trail that God was main me on.
What does “Getting old with Angle” imply to you?
I attempt to keep bodily match and wholesome as I age. Additionally, I do know that with age comes knowledge, however I attempt to mix this knowledge with the mindset that I’m nonetheless rising and studying new issues. That means, I can carry on offering wheelchairs for so long as doable and assist the most individuals that I can.
Need extra data?
His e-book “Miracle Wheels: The Story of the Mission to Bring Mobility to the World” will be discovered on Amazon.
Get entangled or donate at FreeWheelchairMission.org.
Be taught extra and watch the dramatic video of his story here.
Click on the hyperlink to study AARP’s Purpose Prize Program.
NaBeela Washington, an rising Black author, holds a Grasp’s in Inventive Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire College and Bachelor’s in Visible Promoting from The College of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been printed in Eater, The Cincinnati Evaluation, and others. Be taught extra at nabeelawashington.com.
Pictures by Free Wheelchair Mission
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