2-yr old boy youngest wheelchair recipient
A two-year old boy and an 81-year old woman were among the 86 recipients of free wheelchairs from the Project Paglaum of Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog and Operation Blessing Foundation which were distributed yesterday at the Jaro gymnasium.
Eight-year old Rey Charles Ignacio of Calaparan, Arevalo is inflicted with cerebral palsy that hinders his walking capacity while Ramona Pecina of Don Esteban, Lapuz has fractured upper thigh.
Operation Blessing Foundation is affiliated with the 700 Club Asia and is in the forefront in the wheelchair-giving project. The project is also in coordination with the Iloilo Physical Therapist Association, Department of Preventive and Community Medicine of the West Visayas State University, H.A.L.I.G.I Foundation and Iloilo City Hall Press Corps.
The district of Jaro has the most number of recipients with 36; La Paz 14; City Proper 13; Molo 7; Lapuz 4; Mandurriao 6 and Arevalo 6. The recipients were accompanied by their respective kins in getting their wheelchairs.
The recipients were also briefed by Ryan Espulgar, president of the Iloilo Physical Therapist Association and editor of the Daily Headlines, on the proper use of the wheelchair and the appropriate exercise to help the persons with disabilities.
Espulgar stressed before the recipients that the wheelchair should not be used in 24 hours period. He discouraged the use of the wheelchair for 24 hours as it will only promote secondary complications among the recipients. They should get up from the wheel chair preferably every two hours and engage in a non-strenuous exercise, he said.
Espulgar stressed, the wheelchair is a means "to transport" people with disabilities in places where they want to go. It should not be used as permanent seating place, he said.
The families were likewise taught the proper use of the wheelchair in bringing persons with disabilities to malls and other places.