|
Here is last 3 journals from Sage Hills High School! Though they are home now the impact they made in Vietnam and my life last! Truly a remarkable group of world changers! Some have contacted me and want to come back soon. I sincerely believe these teens left "marked!"
"Today a group of students from Sage Hill School and I went to build wheelchairs in Da Nang. We had the opportunity to work with various models of wheelchairs: Gen 2 and Gen 3, to meet the individual's specific needs for mobility. A previous mathematics teacher of mine and current Math Head Department Chair,
Mr. DiOrio, partnered up with me and together we built 2 Gen 2 wheelchairs. The Gen 2 wheelchairs were harder to build but I believe that it was worth it since we had the opportunity to give them the gift of mobility. I'm glad that it could change their lives emotionally and it is hard constantly having to look up to people and needing to be carried every time one has to go to the restroom.
Although my life has been blessed in numerous other categories, I know how it feels to be in a wheelchair and I felt an emotional connection when I handed that wheelchair over. In the 7th grade, I suffered an injury to my femur through playing tennis, which required the use of a wheelchair. For 3 months, I was unable to participate in all the activities I loved and realized how much we take for granted.
Even the simplest of daily routines and activities require the ability to walk. For example, it is extremely difficult to go to school or even shower. This experience compels me to help others who may not have access to wheelchairs and other aids they may need. Thus when I handed the wheelchair over to its recipients: Wong Thi Nguyen and Thi Gai, I felt grateful for all the blessings I have in my life, but began to wonder about their hardships.
Wong Thi Nguyen was married for 59 years and had 10 kids. The reason for the disability was due to a stroke. The husband was the one that previously pushed her around. The way in which getting a wheelchair will help them is through providing stability when the husband pushes her around. They found out about giving it back to kids through the local community, which seems to be a common theme amongst many recipients including those during the water filtration.
On the other hand, Thi Gai had 4 children, 3 sons and 1 daughter. Likewise, Gai found out about giving it back to kids through their community. Before she had a stroke which was 5 year ago. This made her left leg very weak and her right leg stronger. She was married for 84 years and she got married to her husband at the age of 18. The husband is very weak so it is very hard for him to push her around. "
Thanks,
Param
"Flying into the sprawling, urban centers of Vietnam creates an image of a rapidly industrializing country, a country where people's lives are propelling upward with new opportunities. However, it is disingenuous to claim that all are reaping the benefits of development. Take a bus two, three hours outside the city: there, you see poverty and struggle, areas devoid of hope.
To pull yourself up by your bootstraps require the bootstraps to be present. Many rural people have hardly a shoestring to grab. They require aid and help to accomplish aspiring dreams, to become the best of their ability.
And, quite frankly, that is exactly what I see Robert and his nonprofit do. I see he and his staff providing wheelchairs for men and women who rely on the literal backs of people for movement. One wheelchair may seem like a small gift, but it triggers a butterfly effect for the whole family. It gives the family more time to focus on their jobs and their lives, which in turn enables a better life for them all. It gives the disabled person more opportunities for things such as school or work, which in turn gives them a better life. It is inspiring to see how little they need in order to succeed; they only need tinder to spark a fire of life.
Sincerely;
Matthew
|
|
|
Riley assembling water filter
|
Today we assembled wheelchairs for a lot of people, but one woman in particular had an especially powerful impact on me. I was part of the group to interview her and her mom who she was there with.
I found out that she had been paralyzed at the age of 4, she is 40 now. Since then her mother has had to carry her everywhere. Around the house, to the hospital, to the market. However, during the instruction for use and care of the wheelchair, I saw that same woman use her wheelchair to move across the room and shake hands with some men sitting there.
That was an incredibly powerful image for me. It made me so greatly appreciate what we were doing and value the chance to be a part of it. That experience and the day as a whole made me feel great full for how able bodied I am and realize how different my life could be.
Riley
|
