Minimalist Wheelchair Gets Users Rolling in Less Developed Countries

When considering my autonomy and independence objectively, one might suppose that I appreciate my wheelchair because it gives me the freedom to move. They might also assume that I enjoy the added ‘bells and whistles’ which are a part of my state-of-the-art electric transport. Upon contemplation, however, I’m ashamed to say that on many occasions, I’ve viewed my wheelchair from the opposite perspective. That is, the special features have become necessities and I’ve taken the personal freedom which my wheelchair provides for granted. Our rich North American society grants me the luxury of doing so. However, many disabled persons in less developed countries are not so fortunate.

Seeking to enable the poor with disabilities, Los Angeles’s engineer, Don Schoendorfer, began his innovative design of a less complex wheelchair that is suitable for use in a variety of conditions found in less developed nations. He founded the non-profit organization known as the Free Wheelchair Mission in 1998, upon the collaboration of many design specialists who currently facilitate production and distribution of the chairs. They are looking to partner with other organizations to increase availability of the chair.

The Free Wheelchair Mission’s design consists of a lawn chair for a seat, foot rests, mountain bike tires, a steel frame, and of course, a few nuts and bolts. The irony is that formerly, I would have considered the simplicity of the Free Wheelchair Mission’s chair to be a major drawback, but in fact, this simplicity is actually one of this chair’s best features - providing three great advantages:

1) First, as all components of the chair are mass-produced, they are available in large quantities at low costs. A mere $44.40 is all it takes to provide someone in a less developed country with a wheelchair. Thus far, the Free Wheelchair Mission’s chairs have granted 114,930 people the freedom to move. The organization continues to provide for those in need, regardless of age, ethnicity, or religion, at no cost to the individuals who require them.

2) Secondly, the chair’s versatile parts give it a durable, all-terrain quality, allowing for widespread distribution, regardless of geographical conditions. The chair is currently used in 46 countries, and expected to be available in more soon.

3) Finally, the chair’s simple design allows for ease of assembly and/or repair, and means that the Free Wheelchair Mission can distribute it regardless of language barriers.

I personally do not have a strong desire to walk. This may be because my mobility began with a power wheelchair at the age of 2, but if I did not have my wheelchair to get around, I think my personal expression would be unduly limited. For this reason, I’m really glad that the Free Wheelchair Mission is willing to help people with disabilities get rolling in less developed countries. They hope to have 20 million wheelchairs distributed by the year 2010.

To find out more, or to get involved, please visit http://www.freewheelchairmission.org/. Otherwise, bear in mind the value of your wheelchair as you, keep on rolling in the city.