Wheels for the World

Monterrey

Last week I had the great privilege of joining the 20th Wheels for the World (WFTW) team in Monterrey. The purpose of these trips is to provide wheelchairs and other mobility devices (walkers, canes, and crutches) to people who need them. But as Joni Erickson Tada says, “It’s not just about the wheels.” We want those with disabilities to be seen, heard and loved. We want their caregivers to feel supported. The local pastor of the church we worked with commented on how many Mexicans see disability as a shameful thing. It’s not. All people, no matter their abilities, have dignity, and are known and loved by God. So are their caregivers, though they sometimes carry a heavy burden.

Here are a few highlights from the many stories that could be told.

• It was wonderful to help strengthen the capacity of the local people. A 5th year medical student joined us for three days. She had learned nothing about wheelchair seating in school but she was a quick study. By the end of the first day of interacting with children and teens with various disabilities she was rethinking her desired area of practice. On the third day, she and a lawyer were working together to modify a wheelchair for one of the most difficult kids to seat. It was beautiful to see, and he looked great once they had finished.

  

  

• We met some outstanding parents. Ammi, a sweet 6 year old, was non-verbal but she certainly could communicate since her mother is teaching her sign language. With some help from Mom she signed John 3:16.

It usually doesn’t take very long to seat an adult, but it can take a couple of hours for children. Tim, the mechanic I worked with, had to take Ammi’s wheelchair completely apart to adjust it to fit her. In the end she looked great in her new chair, and with some help from adults, she remained patient through the process.

• There is nothing better than the delight on a person’s face when they discover independent mobility as this young man did.

  

• The thing I enjoy most about these trips is the results we see when each person plays their part. Our team provided most of the expertise to fit a wheelchair to each person, but local people provided welcome, support, food, sewing, mechanical abilities, and translation. They also shared the gospel with everyone who came. Each person is important. There were 10 of us from the US and 40-50 local volunteers. The results wouldn’t be the same if it was just us, and we would have had to work a whole lot harder to provide mobility devices for 106 people. What a joy to see what God does when each person does their part.

I was encouraged that I could do most of my work without a translator. Still, I was glad to have one nearby, especially when I wanted to be sure that they understood instructions. I hope to join other WFTW teams here in Mexico and other Latin American countries.