Wheelchairs in Paraguay, part 2 - Fundación Solidaridad

The second part of our week in Paraguay we switched to working with a second partner, Fundación Solidaridad. This group is an NGO (non-goverment organization), so we saw the contrast between them and the government-sponsored SENADIS. They have better facilities and a broader outreach. They invite patients to pay for services when they are able, but have funds available to help those who are not able to pay. In general the care level is a step up, and their vision of helping and making a difference is inspiring.

Instead of requiring everyone to come to the central office, as is the rule for SENADIS patients,
Solidaridad has developed a great way of sharing wheelchairs in remote areas that they call a "jornada." They pick a city or area in the country where a need exists. They then work with the government agencies and health care professionals in that area to find candidates. Normally about 40 or 50 patients can be helped at a time. The local workers select the most needy candidates in the area and schedule them to come to a central location for a 2-day event. We were able to go with Solidaridad on a jornada to a city called Caacupé, about an hour east of Asunción.

On the appointed day, the representatives of Solidaridad (a team including doctors, therapists, and other trained personnel) arrive at the location and spend the morning doing one-on-one evaluations with the patients. (Today's event was held at one of the LDS chapels in the city.) They go through a form supplied by the Church that evaluates their health, home environment, family support, physical abilities, and projected use of a wheelchair. The candidate is measured carefully so a chair can be properly adjusted. If they qualify (most do), they are asked to come back tomorrow to receive their chair and their training.

Evaluations in progress

Banners from the three partners at the front of the church

 That afternoon and evening, details of all the evaluations are transmitted back to headquarters in Asunción. They rapidly assemble the correct styles and sizes of chairs and then load them on a truck and get them out to the city where the event is being held (sometimes requiring an overnight drive).

On the morning of the second day, the truck is unloaded by the field workers. The chairs are checked and further modified as needed, and arranged according to an index of recipient.

As the recipients arrive, they are introduced to their new chair and given some basic initial training. This is a joyful, and sometimes emotional, moment for the recipient and for family members.

The chairs are all assigned as quickly as possible, and everyone is gathered for a group training session. They go over details of the chairs, usage, maintenance, prevention of sores, dealing with obstacles, etc.

Solidaridad personnel give training to recipients and family members

Then some time for speeches. Today we had quite a gathering. The district president of the church presided, since he was the host. The governor and a senator were there, the president of the Solidaridad foundation, leaders from the local health providers, and a representative of Itaipú who provide financial sponsorship for the event. This part probably took a little longer than needed....

L to R, Guido Lucas (our program director), a senator, the president of Solidaridad (speaking), the governor,
the local leader of health care professionas, and the LDS District President who hosted the meeting

Interestingly today, one of the panel members asked if there were questions or comments from the recipients and their families. There were several expressions of gratitude from people who stated they would never have been able to afford the chair on their own. One of the last persons to arise was a young father with a badly handicapped child. As he rose to speak, he because completely choked with emotion, and for some time was completely unable to get more than a few sounds out. When he did, it was overwhelming thankfulness for the gift his family had received that would ease the burden they were carrying with their child. There were many moist eyes among the group!

It was a joy to see over 50 people whose life was now blessed with this simple gift. They come in all sizes and shapes, all ages, and all needs. The little children can be especially touching, but knowing how this gift helps every person and their family in dramatic ways is so heart-warming!