550 Donated Wheelchairs Arrive from America

[khwaibah]

CityNews - This past weekend, a 40-foot container with 550 donated wheelchairs arrived in Chiang Mai at The Foundation to Encourage the Potential of Disabled Persons, to be distributed free of charge to locals with disabilities who are in need.

http://www.chiangmaicitynews.com/news.php?id=4857

[Beng]

Are they only for thai people ?

[khwaibah]

Are they only for thai people ?

According to the article I would say yes, Thai only.

"In order to qualify for a chair, the Foundation requires advance copies of Thai ID, Thai Disabled Passport, House Registration Certificate, and a photo of the applicant individual."

Edited February 24, 2015 by khwaibah

[sappersrest]

What a fantastic organisation, hats off to those who collected the money and those working hard to distribute them. Human kindness at it's best Well done.

[northernjohn]

Now if Chiang Mai will make its sidewalks wheelchair available it will be a great help.

As is they are barely usable to people with good mobility in some spots In fact unassessable in many spots.

[BKKdreaming]

Hopefully the cam in duty free, and tea money free,

There have been some shows on wheelchairs for 3rd world places without good streets ,

I wonder if these are just normal Western wheelchairs ?

[Gonzo the Face]

Hopefully the cam in duty free, and tea money free,

There have been some shows on wheelchairs for 3rd world places without good streets ,

I wonder if these are just normal Western wheelchairs ?

There is a chance they are Chinese made wheelchairs......look like good chairs but not totally functionally considered.

[Duvidl]

Yes, made in China, but designed in the US.

Edited February 25, 2015 by Duvidl

[Rancid]

Nice gesture.

[Tokay]

Sorry about your Burmese and nationless mountain tribe luck. Shafted, as usual.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

^ I see your point and agree, but practically speaking it's not actually all that easy to be in a wheelchair in a hill village.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Are they only for thai people ?

My mom in law has a disabled card, though she walks pretty okay again now.

Would still qualify though.

How about 2500 Baht?

[Mapguy]

Are they only for thai people ?

My mom in law has a disabled card, though she walks pretty okay again now.

Would still qualify though.

How about 2500 Baht?

Not certain what "pretty ok" means, and, yes, wheelchairs can be difficult to use in the mountains --- and in the city!

Pim has done one or two stories in CityLife about the foundation. Pim, can you help by digging through the archives and posting the latest story?

Certainly the foundation would like to be aware of people in genuine need who can not afford a chair. And most certainly a donation to pay for costs would be welcome.

[uptheos]

Now if Chiang Mai will make its sidewalks wheelchair available it will be a great help.

As is they are barely usable to people with good mobility in some spots In fact unassessable in many spots.

Excellent post

[properjob]

A fine charitable gesture meets with baseless accusations of racism and complaints about lack of accessibility that have nothing to do with the organisation doing this great work. Typical.

[khwaibah]

A fine charitable gesture meets with baseless accusations of racism and complaints about lack of accessibility that have nothing to do with the organisation doing this great work. Typical.

Thai Visa at its very best. NOT.

[northernjohn]

A fine charitable gesture meets with baseless accusations of racism and complaints about lack of accessibility that have nothing to do with the organisation doing this great work. Typical.

You of course are rite about the fine work this organization is doing.

I merely mentioned the difficulty in using them here in Chiang Mai.

I myself am a bit mobile impaired and find it often difficult to get around.

So I mentioned the difficulty of getting around in them.

There was no offence meant to them as I said they are a very good organization.

I just took the opportunity to mention the difficulty of getting around in them.

Edited February 26, 2015 by northernjohn

[Tokay]

^ I see your point and agree, but practically speaking it's not actually all that easy to be in a wheelchair in a hill village.

Swap the tires out and it could end up being a new adventure ride for tourists.

Downhill Wheelchair 4x4 Extreme!

Only 3000b per ride.

[NeverSure]

I notice in the article linked in the OP that this is in "partnership" with Rotary. Rotary has clubs all across the country (and in other countries) whose sole purpose for existing is to raise money for charity. They raise a ton of money, often the members' own money.

Near the beginning of each meeting there is a time for the sergeant at arms to call people out and "fine" them for something they've done - never anything bad. These fines are actually donations to this foundation. They keep track of who they've fined so they'll get around to everyone. Don't get your name in the newspaper or get a promotion or open a new location for your business or someone will tell on you and you'll get fined for it. Part of membership dues also go to the foundation.

Kudos to Rotary and its members for this money. Rotary is very careful to assure that its money goes for what it paid for and rarely is it misused.