Video

LDS Church Helps with Wheelchairs in Asia

Walking--one foot in front of the other is no problem . . . for most of us. We do it without even thinking. For millions of people worldwide, however, it is not so simple. More than 45 million people in the world need a mobility device and can’t afford one. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) wheelchair initiative strives to improve mobility, health, educational and economic opportunities for people with physical disabilities.

The Church helps local organizations improve the services they provide to the physically disabled and provide a wheelchair or walking aid appropriate to the individual’s need and circumstances. With the help of volunteer trainers, the Church seeks to strengthen the capability of local organizations to assess individual needs, select and fit an appropriate wheelchair or other mobility device, train the individual and caregiver, and provide support for repair and maintenance. The mobility devices provided by the Church include wheelchairs for rough terrain, hospital wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, and canes. Since 2001, over 550,000 people have received one of these devices.

The Church in Asia seeks out those who need such assistance and, partnering with like-minded organizations, works tirelessly to bring the most basic of freedoms—the freedom to move—to those in need. The Church has only been present in Timor-Leste for a few months but a recent wheelchair training activity brought much-needed assistance to the small country. Asian countries often have people who have experienced debilitating war injuries or diseases. The Church’s wheelchair projects have been implemented in most Asian countries.  

Some of Asia’s compelling wheelchair stories have been captured on video and on local TV news:

 

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