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One child at a time

A child with cerebral palsy faces physical and developmental challenges, making it difficult for them to do certain activities, unlike most children. Six-year-old Josh Gabriel of San Enrique, Negros Occidental, cannot be left alone by his mother because he is incapable of sitting upright. Josh Gabriel was diagnosed with drug-resistant epilepsy and developmental delay. His condition prompted his mother, Gerah, to stop working to care for him, as he lacks balance, coordination, and fine motor skills.

Children with CP experience difficulties with motor control, muscle stiffness, or weakness, making walking or running challenging or impossible. Individuals with CP often need assistive devices like wheelchairs, walkers, or braces. In Josh’s case, a wheelchair was what he needed, but his mother could not afford it.

It was as though the heavens heard his mother’s prayer. Josh Gabriel was among 96 children with CP from Bacolod City and Negros Occidental who received a special wheelchair from Fenixia Foundation, Inc. and Hope Haven West.

“He gets admitted to the hospital once a month due to pneumonia. He cannot sit up straight. It’s very difficult to feed him. He would always contract pneumonia, and our circumstances prevent me from working and doing other chores at home because I cannot leave him alone,” explained Gerah.

Children from La Castellana, Negros Occidental who got their customized wheelchairs from Hope Haven West and Fenixia Foundation, Inc. with American, Caucasian and Filipino volunteers.*
Eight-year-old Angel of San Enrique Negros, Occidental being fit into her wheelchair by Filipino volunteer Penafrancia Ching, occupational therapist and an American volunteer.*

Meanwhile, eight-year-old Angel smiled and looked excited to sit on her special wheelchair. Angel was diagnosed with developmental delay when she was six months old. Her grandparents take turns caring for her. Her grandfather, Rogelio Planas, expressed happiness that their granddaughter can now comfortably sit independently.

“Now that she has a wheelchair, we can take her wherever we go. It won’t be as difficult for us anymore. Before, it was really tough. She couldn’t sit alone or stand. At least now, it won’t be that hard for us,” said Planas.

Lonny Davis, the founder of Hope Haven West, explained that the wheelchairs distributed to children with cerebral palsy and some adults were customized to suit the condition and needs of the recipients.

“We have other [wheel]chairs collected from across the United States. These chairs have been refurbished many times by prisoners in different facilities across the U.S. The complex rehab chairs generally cost between 3,000 to 10,000 USD. They are very sturdy and durable. The kids receiving these chairs should be able to use them for anywhere from five to ten years,” said Davis.

Unlike typical charitable wheelchair distributions, where donors simply hand over the chairs, the wheelchairs distributed to children with CP in the province were designed, assembled, and fitted to ensure the kids can maximize their functionality.

Dr. Ferdeliza Garcia, a community-based rehabilitation practitioner specializing in wheelchair service provision, was one of five Filipino volunteers on the mission. She has volunteered for various wheelchair service missions and training.

“There’s a need to increase awareness that giving out wheelchairs isn’t just about providing a chair. It’s like a shoe—would you accept a shoe that’s not your size? This is something we need to raise awareness about among our countrymen. Many people are doing good by giving out wheelchairs, but we want to emphasize that good deeds can and should be done right,” stressed Dr. Garcia.

Volunteer Cathy Mulholland and Anne Marie Makilan helping fix Donelle Angelo’s customized wheelchair as SPED teacher Jinky Declines and Lonny Davis, Hope Haven West founder, look on.*
Eleven-year-old Aika gave her mother, Ana Marie, a big smile after getting into her wheelchair. On video while she said “Thank you!”*

Lisa Valerio has been doing charity work since 2016. As a mother of a child on the autism spectrum, her earlier projects focused on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. However, after seeing the condition of children with cerebral palsy, she realized how much they needed help. Valerio, who has been collaborating with Anne Marie Makilan, president of Happy Beginners School of Learning in Bacolod City, since they met in 2018, called Makilan one day and asked her to gather 200 children with cerebral palsy for a wheelchair distribution. A common friend introduced Valerio to Davis of Hope Haven West. Soon, the two started working together for this year’s Philippine mission, covering Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, and Davao.

Her first mission was in Mati, Davao, in 2016, but the beneficiaries were children with intellectual disabilities.

“There are a couple of students I was able to send wheelchairs to who have now been able to access school and the community because they’ve had chairs. There are about 60 to 75 individuals with cerebral palsy. We’ve been working with that group in Mati, providing more resources like feeding, but bringing them chairs has been a dream of mine. When I went to the Philippines in 2016, I thought my focus would be on autism, ADHD, and Down syndrome, but when parents were literally carrying their children with cerebral palsy, I realized this is bigger. This is way bigger than I had envisioned. These kids need chairs,” shared Valerio.

Fifty-eight-year-old Mary Ann Rebuton of Canroma, Pontevedra, was all smiles as she tried on her customized wheelchair. She kept saying “Thank you!” to every volunteer she met inside the hall as she moved around in her chair. She was diagnosed with polio two years ago.

“Now I can comfortably move around our home, doing chores like cooking, washing dishes, and looking after my parents. Before, I couldn’t do anything because I was partially immobile,” said Rebuton.

Davis explained that a wheelchair means a lot to people who cannot sit straight and support themselves to move around. He admitted that each encounter with the beneficiaries can be emotional at times.

“At the end of the day, we step back and look at the 50 children and their families whose lives have changed as a result of receiving the wheelchairs. It’s very rewarding, and it can become very emotional at times as well,” he said.

Davis’ and Valerio’s foundations are 100% charity. All the volunteers paid their own way and not one of them receive salaries for their services. There was no fundraising expense. Everything the organizers and volunteers were able to collect went directly to help the kids get wheelchairs.

The organizers promised to return to the Philippines, continuing their mission to bring wheelchairs to those who desperately need them—one child at a time.*

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