One hundred fifty wheelchairs go to needy, physically challenged Belizeans

Mobility is a huge challenge for persons living with disabilities but this morning a number of them received devices that will make their lives easier and more comfortable. The Embassy of Taiwan has for the second time this year made a sizeable donation of wheelchairs and other mobility aids to the Special Envoy for Women and Children, which also has the support of CARE Belize. Twenty-four wheelchairs, part of a larger package, were handed over today to deserving clients including children and adults. News Five’s Delahnie Bain was at the Inspiration Center for the handing over.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

The Inspiration Center is in the early stages of construction, but the site is already being put to good use. It was the venue this morning for the handing over of about twenty-four wheelchairs, which are part of a larger donation to be distributed countrywide.

Kim Simplis Barrow

Kim Simplis Barrow, Special Envoy for Women and Children

“With the help of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Special Envoy’s Office and Care Belize, we were able to secure one hundred and fifty such mobility aids. The list includes five adoptable pediatric wheelchairs, ten personal energy transportation—the PET carts as we know them—twenty adoptable adult wheelchairs, fifty standard children chairs, fifty standard children wheelchairs, fifty-five adult folding wheelchairs and ten table recliners.”

David Wu

David Wu, Ambassador, Republic of China (Taiwan)

“This is the second time that the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Belize is donating the wheelchairs on behalf of the NGO in Taiwan, Pusian Foundation, a private NGO which donated two hundred and fifty wheelchairs to Mrs. Kim Barrow and because of the Assistance of Care Belize, those chairs were distributed to the needy children in Belize. Last time when we did it, I saw the smiles and appreciation of the parents and we knew that we had done the right thing.”

Five adult wheelchairs were handed over to the City Emergency Management Organization (CEMO), in support of its current efforts to cater to persons with disabilities in the disaster preparedness plan. Meanwhile, four of the children’s chairs went to young Care Belize clients from the city.

Inga Sandoval, Rehabilitation Field Officer, Care Belize 

Inga Sandoval

“RJ Murrillo, RJ is a child with cerebral palsy and he attends Stella Maris. He is seven years old and he will be using this wheelchair at school and in the community. We also have Ashley Megan who is eight years old and she also has cerebral palsy. She is attending Stella Maris and she will be using her chair at school. Nazuri is eight years old and she also has cerebral palsy and she will be attending Stella Maris in January. The other wheelchair is supposed to go to Joshua Aldana who is a child with cerebral palsy and he will be attending Stella Maris in the coming school year.”

The other fifteen recipients today were from Orange Walk and Corozal. But even with the generous donations, mobility continues to be an obstacle for physically challenged Belizeans.

Kim Simplis Barrow

“Mobility and access to necessary equipment is among the many challenges faced by this population. Wheelchairs are always in high demand and many times specialized versions are out of the financial reach for individuals and families. These chairs were purchased through an organization called Hope Haven International, which employs persons with disabilities to build and assemble them. They are valued at approximately fifty thousand Belize Dollars. I would like to thank Ambassador David Wu of Taiwan and his government for his generous donation and for his continued support of the activities undertaken by my office.”

The remaining chairs will be distributed by Care Belize, but this morning’s handing over ceremony coincides with the upcoming Disability Week.

Kim Simplis Barrow

“International Day of Persons with Disabilities is December third and we will celebrate under the theme “Removing Barriers to Create an Inclusive and Accessible society for all. Starting this Sunday, organizations such as the Belize Association for Diverse Abilities, Care Belize, Special Olympics and NARCIE will be holding activities throughout the week to bring awareness to the barriers faced by persons with disabilities and to advocate for their full inclusion in society.”

The event was also used to present donations to the Inspiration Center Project; a cheque for ten thousand dollars came from B.T.L. employees, five thousand from the Chinese Association and two thousand from Alex Chang, chairman of Fen Lan Development Company. Delahnie Bain for News Five.

It is projected that the construction of the Inspiration Center will be completed late next year.