LOCATION
'We are located four hours northwest of Mexico City in rural, agricultural, high altitude (8,500) Mexico.. The weather is cool and dry, and the views are awesome. The people are indigenous Mazahuan Indians. They are poor and humble, yet proud of their heritage, hard working, and dedicated to improve their quality of life. We are there to help them.
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Yellow indicates the state of Mexico. |
Collecting Wheelchairs
Turn trash into Treasure. The 'guesstimate' is that 75,000 wheelchairs are thrown away in the U.S. each year. We collect used wheelchairs throughout the United States from nursing homes, hospitals, individuals, medical supply companies and other places. The 'guesstimate' is that 75,000 wheelchairs are thrown away in the U.S. each year. If you know of someone who has a wheelchair in their garage or basement that is no longer being used, ask them if they would like to donate it, and we will give it to someone who desperately needs it. We have collection points in Arizona, California, Iowa, Texas, California, and other locations. Send us an email and we'll connect you with someone to give your wheelchair to. Better yet, join us! You can travel on airlines with wheelchairs without paying an extra baggage charge. You can meet the person who will receive the wheelchair, and give it to him or her personally. Your life will never be the same once you've seen someone's face light up as they realize, now for the first time in their life, they have mobility, and you gave it to them.
CAMPS
We host three major camps in Mexico. One is in the area where we're based, one is in Culiacan, and the third is in Mazatlan. We also host one-day camps throughout the year in various locations throughout Mexico. During the camps participants have a chance to meet others who use wheelchairs. They share their experiences, feelings and advice. They make new friends, share their lives, help each other and develop a support system.
Many people who receive wheelchairs, and have been confined to their houses have no idea what they can do with their new mobility. If we don't teach them, they will continue to sit in their homes - using the wheelchair. Maybe we have to sit, but we don't have to sit still! During the camps both abled-bodied and disabled volunteers help expand their horizons. Go to testimonies to read Marta's story of how participating in a camp changed her life and her self-esteem. We start with the basic recreational, fun activities, show them how to exercise, and teach them sports they never new they could play!
Participants in the camps have excelled greatly in their abilities. Near our home-base 5-10 people who use wheelchairs practice tennis weekly in a donated court. Mazatlan and Culiacan also have wheelchair tennis teams. The best players have been sponsored to come to the U.S. to play in the Southwest Desert Classic in Tucson, Arizona. Each player has returned to Mexico with a trophy.
You don't need to be an athlete or speak Spanish to volunteer in a camp. You just need to be an encourage, be willing share yourself with others, and have fun! See our Volunteer Application. For dates of our upcoming camps go to our calendar.
Testimonials
Marta, who was 40 years old, used an old wheelchair with push handles. After three days of participating in a camp, learning that she could play sports and meeting other people in wheelchairs, she said, "I've realized I don't need push handles on my wheelchair, I can push myselfâ€"
Leticia was 15 years old, contracted polio as a baby, lived in a small house on a dirt road located in the middle of a corn field in rural Mexico. The only time she went anywhere is when one of her brothers carried her. In 1997 I gave her a wheelchair. Her beautiful smile and appreciation changed my life. I began returning to Mexico every year to give away wheelchairs and teach them how to use them. Leti now has a full time job, has been married for three years, and has a two year daughter name Cecilia. She calls me 'Papa'. Richard St. Denis
Pay It Forward
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There are many ways you can make a difference in the life of people with disabilities. The people who receive you're the benefits of your gift will not be able to repay you, but you will be repaid. No staff member is paid. Our time is donated and self-supported so your donation will go directly to meet the needs of those we serve.
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HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Pay it Forward - Donations
We are a certified, registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization approved, and recognized by the I.R.S.
All donations are tax-deductible.
CALENDAR
To view our upcoming schedule for wheelchair distributions, sports camps, etc. please choose the month & year, & select GO.
Together we can make it happen!
