A life-changing journey to Africa drove Dr. Don Schoendorfer to launch Free Wheelchair Mission, bringing mobility and transformation to the world’s underserved.
From the dust-filled roads of Morocco to the design labs of an MIT-trained engineer, Don’s story is one among compassion, innovation, and divine goal. On this interview, we uncover the distinctive threads of his life that convey mobility, dignity, and hope to these usually missed – and led to awarding him an AARP Goal Prize.
What particular experiences or observations throughout your trip in Morocco impressed you to deal with the problem of mobility for folks with disabilities?
After I was in Morocco in 1979, I noticed a fairly stunning scene of a lady crawling on the bottom, making an attempt to cross a mud highway. I had by no means seen anybody crawl like that earlier than. She seemed like she was in ache as she would pull herself slowly throughout the bottom, inch by inch. Individuals have been stepping over her and nobody stopped to assist. This picture caught with me till round 20 years later, once I determined to do one thing to assist.
May you share a particular instance that highlights the transformation within the lives of the people who obtain wheelchairs and likewise their households?
In Chile, we went to a small house the place a person in his 50s lived together with his mom. He was her full-time caregiver. We gave her a brand-new wheelchair, and after speaking to them extra, we realized that her mom additionally lived with them and wanted a wheelchair. We have been in a position to give her one as nicely.
“They’d discuss to one another by means of the partitions of their rooms for years as a result of they weren’t in a position to get away from bed and converse head to head.”
Everybody within the room was dropped at tears. They’d discuss to one another by means of the partitions of their rooms for years as a result of they weren’t in a position to get away from bed and converse head to head. However now, with the 2 wheelchairs, they could possibly be protected and spend time collectively.
How does your religion activate your mission and your volunteers?
I’ve chosen to give up this entire mission to God as a result of I do know that it’s in the end God’s work that we could be part of. From the start, I’ve gone to God in prayer when it got here to creating selections and because the group grew. I’m working for God, and I do my finest to replicate that to workers, volunteers, and donors. We’re delivering God’s work every time we give the life-transforming present of mobility.
“Thus far, we now have given out 1.4 million wheelchairs to youngsters, adults, and seniors in growing nations all over the world.”
How did your background as an MIT-trained engineer affect the design and improvement of low-cost, mass-produced wheelchairs?
Being educated at MIT gave me credibility within the area. I knew the worth of a prototype and knew easy methods to create one thing that may enchantment to the consumer. Not solely was I seeking to create one thing that seemed good, however I wished one thing sensible that may be most useful. Additionally, after having years of expertise within the medical business, I knew that I wanted to make one thing cheap. These components all got here collectively once I was creating the wheelchair fashions. And in the present day, a sturdy wheelchair could be constructed, shipped, and delivered for simply $96.
What does your “dream” wheelchair appear like? Is it your objective to make this concept a actuality for others?
Thus far, we now have given out 1.4 million wheelchairs to youngsters, adults, and seniors in growing nations all over the world. Our wheelchairs presently are available 4 sizes. Our distribution companions are educated to regulate the wheelchairs to finest match every particular person upon receiving the wheelchair. I hope to in the future create one that may be simply adjusted by the one who receives the wheelchair, with no instruments wanted.
In previous interviews, you’ve talked about a “join the dots” method. May you present extra perception into the way you utilized this system in your personal life and addressing mobility for folks in growing nations?
I started to consider the issues that impressed me, my skills, and the experiences that appeared like coincidences on the time. I couldn’t get the picture of the crawling girl in Morocco out of my thoughts. I had an engineering background. And, I had introduced a prototype of my first wheelchair design to India on a missions journey. From there, folks have been encouraging me to proceed that work. As I related these items, I started to understand that this was the trail that God was main me on.
What does “Ageing with Perspective” imply to you?
I attempt to keep bodily match and wholesome as I age. Additionally, I do know that with age comes knowledge, however I attempt to mix this knowledge with the mindset that I’m nonetheless rising and studying new issues. That manner, I can carry on offering wheelchairs for so long as attainable and assist the most individuals that I can.
Need extra data?
His e-book “Miracle Wheels: The Story of the Mission to Deliver Mobility to the World” could be discovered on Amazon.
Get entangled or donate at FreeWheelchairMission.org.
Be taught extra and watch the dramatic video of his story right here.
Click on the hyperlink to find out about AARP’s Goal Prize Program.
NaBeela Washington, an rising Black author, holds a Grasp’s in Artistic Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire College and Bachelor’s in Visible Promoting from The College of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been revealed in Eater, The Cincinnati Assessment, and others. Be taught extra at nabeelawashington.com.
Photographs by Free Wheelchair Mission
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