A Sweet Experience With Wheelchair Recipients

April 20, 2018

As directors of LDSC, part of our responsibilities involves learning how to properly fit a wheel chair to a disabled person, assessing whether a recipient is eligible, and then, six months after receiving it, evaluating how they are using their wheelchair. Even though we were trained last November to assess wheelchairs, it is the Women’s Union and Bach Mai Hospital that distribute our wheelchairs in partnership with us. We have them shipped up to Hanoi from Ho Chi Mien City, after which, they are stored either in the Hospital or at the Women’s Union Offices. As part of the evaluation procedure, we are to do some live assessments. For us, this contact with the individual benefitting from the wheelchair, is where the real sweet experience is. 

 We find all those we meet that have received a wheelchair from LDSC, are so grateful for the freedom and restored independence, as well as quality of life the wheelchairs provide. Thong, a 52-year-old language professor at the University of Hai Phong, whom we first met at the Bach Mai Hospital, shared with us his story. 

This past year Thong fell off the roof and broke three ribs, punctured a lung, and cracked his spine. While in the hospital the doctors told him that because of the break in his spine, he would be paralyzed. When he received this devastating news, it was the most difficult time of his life. He became bitter and couldn’t understand why this had happened to him. Although he was physically injured, the mental and emotional pain he had to endure was the worst. He said that he felt like a “bird without wings”, unable fly as he once did. He had to will himself to dig deep and find the courage to go on.

Dr. Vu, who was working with Thong in the hospital, suggested that the hospital get him one of the LDSC wheelchairs to use. When he received the wheelchair, “the tears rolled out of his eyes”.  He finally realized that there was a light on the horizon and that he can find hope. Thong is grateful for the help he has received with the gift of the wheelchair and said that he treasures it because it represents to him “a thankful heart”. He expressed gladness that we came and did an interview with him because he wanted to express his gratitude personally for giving him the wheelchair and providing a better way of life. 

As Thong shared his experience and gratitude, he was so sincere and so articulate, I felt impressed to give him a hug. Upon embracing him, the tears rolled out. I encouraged him to look forward, never look back and keep nourishing his positive attitude. I told him that blessings will abound. I wanted so much to tell him about the Gospel, however, this is something we are not allowed to share with him right now. My wish and prayer is that he will hear the Gospel message someday and be able to feelthe truth of it because of our encounter at Bach Mai Hospital.  

We also visited 80-year-old Yen in the Province of Nam Dinh. Three years ago, she was going to the market with three of her friends, when a drunk man on a motorbike crashed into them. The impact killed her friend and seriously injured her. Yen was taken to the hospital, where they tried their best to repair her leg and knee and holding them together with several pins that remain there today. Arthritis has set in, which makes it painful for her to stand and walk. 

The Women’s Union gave Yen an LDSC wheelchair several months ago, which has made an incredible difference for her and she is very grateful for the gift. There is something about this sweet woman that touched my heart deeply. During the interview, I felt prompted to take her injured foot and leg and start gently massaging it and she enjoyed it very much. The simple act of me

massaging her foot, caused our hearts to touch and I was glad that I listened to the Spirit’s promptings. I was communicating with her through our translator, Thu, but I was also communicating with her through the basic human need of touch. Yen asked me when we can meet again, and I was taken back by her request, knowing that I am going home soon and don’t know if I will ever see her again. As I communicated with her, I just let my heart start talking, telling her that I wish we were neighbors because I would visit her every day. I shared with her the one thing I know for sure is that we will see each other in heaven. I gave her a long hug, not wanting to leave, but knowing we had many more evaluations to do. I think about her often and I know that in our hearts we are the best of friends.

I have often thought, during this mission, that connecting with people, spirit to spirit, as we are helping individuals that come in our path, is what the Lord wants us to experience. True joy is found in serving others.  

We had the privilege of meeting an inspiring gentleman named Sang, who contracted polio when he was 8 years old. He lives alone and makes a living selling vegetables and crabs at the market. He is strong, considering he doesn’t have a lot of strength in his legs because of the crippling effects of polio. Every day he goes down to the river and gets himself into a little boat and fishes for crabs to sell. Kind neighbors help him, and he has a puppy for a companion. He makes good use of his wheelchair and has practically worn it out. We suggested that he have the rear tires replaced or even get a new sturdier wheelchair to replace it. As we were leaving, we were surprised that he followed us out to the street. We enjoyed our visit with Sang and felt inspired by his bright, optimistic attitude.

Through our experiences with the people here, we are reminded of Christ’s admonition to us to Love One Another. “…that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”   --Mosiah 2:17.  The experiences we have had in the mission field give us a deeper and more eternal perspective of life, and instills within us a desire to be more like Christ.