Changing SPRING 2004
THE WORLD
ESTABLISHED
JUNE 2000
CHANGING LIVES IN VIETNAM.
INSIDE Impact of Mobility in Southeast Asia . . . . . . . .1 A Message from Ken Behring . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Mission and Goals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 International Board of Advisors . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Wheelchair Foundation Newslines . . . . . . . . . .5 Sharing the Sunshine in China . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 St. Lucia: Angels Come in Many Forms . . . . . . .7 Photo Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8–9 Hope for the Hopeless in Angola . . . . . . .12–13 Jamaica: Million Dollar Moments . . . . . . . . . .14 Global Team Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
impact of mobility in Southeast Asia “The Wheelchair Foundation is here this morning to provide hope, mobility and freedom. Vietnam has suffered from decades of war and economic problems, and there are at least 100,000 people here without mobility. Let me tell you about a 17-year-old girl named Nghia. Six months ago, this beautiful and charming girl had to be carried everywhere she went by her father and mother. She was disabled by polio and had no money for a wheelchair. Last March when we were here, we gave Nghia a new wheelchair. Yesterday, I spent two hours having tea and visiting with her family. Nghia now wheels herself to school and to the market, and goes outside to be with her friends. She is studying English and math and wants to be a doctor. She is an inspiration to us all. We are blessed to be able to help more than 10,000 people a month around the world that are in the same situation as Nghia. These wheelchairs are a small token of friendship from our country to yours, and all we ask of you in return is a smile.” —Excerpt from a speech by Wheelchair Foundation President David Behring in Hanoi, Vietnam CONTINUED ON PAGE 10