Disability Community Helps in Haiti

New Mobility: The magazine for active wheelchair users

Disability Community Helps in Haiti

VEJAM MAIS EM : https://www.newmobility.com/newsDetail.cfm#article11587 E AINDA EM

http://www.laurahershey.com/?p=229

February 2010

As money, supplies and personnel flow in from around the world to aid victims of the Jan. 12 earthquake in Haiti, a number of U.S. disability organizations are working to make sure that disabled Haitians are not forgotten.

According to Paul Timmons of Portlight Strategies, the situation in Port-au-Prince has produced an outpouring of support within the disability community unlike any seen before in the wake of a natural disaster. “We’ve seen an explosion of grass-roots interest [in Haiti] among people with disabilities in this country,” Timmons says.

Based in Stone Mountain, Ga., Portlight provides support to people with disabilities and other underserved communities affected by disasters. In the aftermath of the quake, Portlight has concentrated on supplying disabled Haitians, “as quickly as possible,” with much-needed durable medical equipment, principally walkers, crutches and wheelchairs.

When asked how people with disabilities can continue their support for Haiti relief efforts even after the immediate emergency has passed, Timmons responds, “In the short term, keep sending money ... In the long term, we have an opportunity to build — or rebuild — a dynamic advocacy community both here and in Haiti. People with disabilities are more visible now than they used to be.”

In addition to Portlight, the Danville, Calif.-based Wheelchair Foundation is spearheading the “Plane to Haiti” mission, with the goal of supplying the country with doctors, support staff and over three tons of medical supplies and equipment. More information about the mission can be found at www.planetohaiti.org.

Also, Joni and Friends, a Christian ministry founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, is partnering with churches and other organizations on the ground in Haiti to provide walkers, crutches and both adult and pediatric wheelchairs. To learn more about these efforts, go to www.joniandfriends.org.

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