UMWAD project
Inclusive Local
Development
Overview
The Umwad ("progress" in Ilonggo) project aims to increase the capacities of Disabled Peoples Organization (DPO) so that DPO and persons with disabilities (PWD) can become integral actors in local development. The project endeavors to:
- Facilitate the inclusion of persons with disabilities in community life
- Promote advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities thru strong and self-sustaining DPO with the capacity to manage activities and projects in the community autonomously.
- Develop active linkages with various organizations for access to resources and support for the continued development and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
DPO as a Main Player of Progress / Instrumento sa pag-UMWAD
UMWAD Project Goals:
- DPO and PWD are involved in the municipal development plans
- DPO have the capacity to implement projects
- DPO are competent advocates for their rights
Main Activities for 2010:
Main Activities for 2011:
- Continuing organizational development training for DPO
- Technical support to develop livelihood projects for the DPO
- Training on human rights frameworks and approaches
- Provincial human rights forum
- Development of guide to the rights of persons with disabilities and training manuals
- Quarterly project newsletter
- Advocacy for the establishment of Provincial Disability Affairs Office in line with RA 10070
- Accreditation of DPO in the Municipal Development Council
- Development of effective practices document
- Participation in the 2011 Asia Pacific CBR Congress
Publications 
Publications/UMWAD – Inclusive Local Development
Newsletters
Press Releases
Testimonies
Donors
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Cardiovascular Diseases project 
Health and Care Rehabilitation
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From Diabetes Project to Cardiovascular Disease project |
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Diabetes Project |
Cardiovascular Disease Project |
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3 years (2007 – 2009) |
4 years (2010-2013) |
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10 pilot barangays |
Citywide (182 barangays) |
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Focus on diabetes |
Integrated management of CVD Risks with diabetes and hypertension as entry points |
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City Health Office special project |
Davao City Health Program |
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Capacity building of primary health care service providers
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Trainings of health care professionals and community health workers
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Development of education and program implementation materials and tools for health service delivery
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Capacity building of primary health care service providers:
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Health policy advocacy/ support in the development of the CVD Program
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Trainings of health care professionals and community health workers
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Development of education and program implementation materials and tools for health service delivery
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Pilot testing of laboratory services in district health centers
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Organization of Local Diabetes Support Groups (LDSGs) |
Organizational Development of Local Diabetes Support Groups |
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Pilot testing of peer support |
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Capacity building of local prosthesis and orthotics workshop |
Foot and Wound Care |
City-wide referral system among health and rehabilitation service providers |
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City Health Office (CHO) of Davao |
City Government of Davao with the CHO as its implementing arm |
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Davao Medical Center |
Southern Philippines Medical Center |
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Davao Jubilee Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc. |
Department of Health- Center for Health Development-Davao Region |
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Davao Sugar Multipurpose Cooperative |
Davao Jubilee Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled Inc. |
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Local Government Units of the pilot barangays |
Davao Sugar Multipurpose Cooperative |
Partners
Overview
The Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) Project aims to empower relevant stakeholders through capacity building to implement integrated cardiovascular risk management (diabetes and hypertension as entry-points) and to coordinate their actions in order to increase access to health services.
- The project is implemented with a local inclusive development approach concentrating on the capacity building of service providers (City Health Office, and local rehabilitation service providers), local diabetes support groups and policy makers (local government units).
- It aims to build on the lessons learned from the 10 pioneer barangays of the pilot phase and replicate best health service delivery practices in the rest of the barangays.
Main Activities for 2010:
Main Activities for 2011:
| • Support in the development of the Davao City Cardiovascular Disease Program |
Training of primary health care professionals |
The second batch of primary health care professionals poses for a souvenir photo after the Basic Training for the Implementation of the Cardiovascular Disease Program- March 2011 |
Health Professionals practice CVD risk assessment by measuring waist circumference during the first Basic Training for the Implementation of the Cardiovascular Disease Program- February 2011 |
Training of community health workers |
Barangay Health Workers practice foot risk assessment during the first batch of community health workers trainings May 2011. |
| • Pilot testing of laboratory services in district health centers
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| • Organizational Development of Local Diabetes Support Groups |
| • Pilot testing of Peer Support in Local Diabetes Support Groups |
| • Setting up of Referral System among health and rehabilitation service providers |
Publications Publications/Diabetes and Cardiovascular Diseases
Newsletters
Press Releases
- 2011: Mayor, health agencies forge partnership- Positive News Media, June 8, 2011
http://positivenewsmedia.net/am2/publish/Health_21/Mayor_health_agencies_forge_partnership_to_enhance
_cardiovascular_disease_program_in_Davao.shtml
- 2011: Davao City enhances diabetes, hypertension health program- Philippine Information Agency, June 6, 2011
http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=1&t=1&id=36605
- 2011: Health centers equipped to parry diabetes, cardiovascular diseases – SunStar Davao, May 27, 2011
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/davao/local-news/2011/05/27/health-centers-equipped-parry-diabetes-cardiovascular-diseases-157918
- 2011: Mayor, health agencies forge partnership to enhance cardiovascular disease program in Davao-Healthy Medicine, June 9, 2011
http://kelly-element.net/492/mayor-health-agencies-forge-partnership-to-enhance-cardiovascular-disease-program-in-davao/
Testimonies
Donors
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Disaster Risks Reduction Project
Mainstreaming Disability in DRR Initiatives, in Indonesia and Philippines
Overview
The overall goal of this project is to reduce the vulnerability of persons with disabilities (PWD) to natural hazards, by enhancing their participation in disaster risk management (DRM) activities.
Implemented in Indonesia and the Philippines, the project applies a common strategy to mainstream disability into DRM.
This strategy supports the inclusion of persons with disabilities’ perspectives in DRM projects and plans of mainstream stakeholders, while empowering PWD through disability specific components to support their participation in DRM initiatives.
DRM Project Sites in Indonesia and the Philippines
Indonesia: Province of Nusa Tenggara Timur, 11 villages in districts of Kupang and Timor Tengha Selatan. |
Philippines: Metro Manila, Bicol region: Caramoran and San Miguel in Catanduanes Province and Legaspi in Albay Province |
The project aims to:
- Raise awareness by targeting government agencies (such as Regional Disaster Management Board (BPBD), Dinas Sosial in Indonesia, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), National Council of Disability Affairs (NCDA) and Office of the Civil Defense (OCV) in the Philippines), DRR partners , local organizations as well as donors and United Nations agencies in order to increase the understanding of disability issues and advocate for the inclusion of PWDs’ needs in their DRM plans and activities.
- Build the capacity of stakeholders’ technical teams (i.e. project teams of DRR partners, local NGO and ,TAGANA volunteer disaster response teams in Indonesia, as well as Provincial, Municipal and Barangay DRRM Councils and Albay Permanent Safety Emergency Office in the Philippines) and provide them technical guidance to support the implementation of the learning in their plans, tools and field activities, directly in the Philippines or via a pool of dedicated trainers coming from a disability and DRM background in Indonesia.
- Support the participation of PWD in local DRM initiatives through awareness-raising at community level and provide individual support for PWD.
- Build the capacity of disability focused organizations such as Simon of Cyrene Children’s Rehabilitation & Development Foundation Inc., to mainstream DRM and provide timely and effective support to PWD in case of emergency.
Main partners
Main Activities for 2010:
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| Training of trainers and
Training in disability and inclusive Community Based Disaster Risk Management
for: Managers, decision-makers and field practitioners |
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| Mainstreaming of disability into field activities |
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| International Disaster Risk Reduction day and
International Day for Persons with Disabilities |
 |  | | Identification, information and experience sharing of Persons with Disabilities |
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| Newsletter on Inclusive CBDRM – Dec - HI and ASB (Indonesia) |
Main Activities for 2011:
- Technical support given to DRM stakeholders
- CBDRM activities
- Dissemination
Publications Publications/Disaster Risk Management
Newsletters
Press Releases
In Bahasa Indonesia
Donors
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Typhoon Megi Emergency Response
Rehabilitation and Emergency Relief
Overview
On 26 September 2009, Tropical Storm Ketsana (locally named Ondoy) brought heavy rains that caused flooding in the National Capital Region (NCR), the Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) and 25 provinces in the northern island of Luzon.
Only two weeks later, the northern part of Luzon was hit with Typhoon Pepeng (Parma), which reversed tracks twice before finally leaving the Philippines on October 9th.
A total of 6,866,800 individuals have been affected by the successive storms as of 13 October, 2009. With its extensive experience in the Philippines and in emergencies, emergency response activities were immediately launched in Rizal province.
Handicap International's emergency activities ensure a comprehensive and inclusive response to the needs of extremely vulnerable groups in the affected communities, while also addressing those of the population as a whole. Activities currently focus on vulnerability and disability, shelter and solid waste management.
Main Activities for 2010:
- Implementation of disability and vulnerability focal points (DVFP) that focus on responding to the needs of extremely vulnerable persons and their households, and ensuring that they benefit from relief efforts.
- Psychosocial support including home visits targeting extremely vulnerable households, group sessions for IDPs in evacuation centers, field trips for individuals affected by the floods as well as activities in Special Education.
- Construction of 250 emergency shelters in Tanay, Rizal and distribution of 1.015 units of repair kits in municipalities of Angono and San Mateo.
- Advocacy & Mainstreaming:
More than just a direct response to indentified needs in affected areas, Handicap International’s approach also involves ensuring that other humanitarian actors include disability and vulnerability issues in their response. This is done through actively participating in coordination systems, encouraging other organizations to be aware and include these issues in their activities and providing them with technical guidance when needed.
- Emergency Waste Management, with the support of Islamic Relief France: distribution of 25 community cleaning kits to 15 affected barangays in Rizal province and mobilization of over 300 community members to help in the emergency cleaning operations. Additional dump trucks were also provided to hasten the clearing process.
- WASH cluster management: Handicap International has also taken responsibility for the coordination of activities in the sector of WASH in the province of Rizal.
Through coordinating humanitarian actors and the provincial government, duplication of activities can be avoided and available resources better utilized to meet existing needs. Through coordination mechanisms, urgent needs and gaps are also being identified sooner, and responses to these being mobilized through and with other coordinating partners.
Main Activities for 2011:
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Construction of 200 transitional shelters
Sample unit of the transitional duplex core shelter without terrace
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Distribution of items responding to specific needs and implementation of critical house accessibility modifications
A wheelchair beneficiary able to go around the relocation site with her family
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Livelihood training and distribution of livelihood kits
Livelihood training in Calumpang: Soap Making
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Disaster Awareness training of shelter beneficiaries
Shelter Beneficiaries of Calumpang Baras Conducted Fire Drill
Testimonies
From Disability and Vulnerability Focal Point to mobile unit
Nine months after Ondoy, when the current project was being designed, the primary question we asked ourselves was how the Disability and Vulnerability Focal Point (DVFP) approach could be adapted to be relevant given the many changes in context since the flooding. read more »
WE DID IT! Shelters for the homeless
With minor adjustments as a new employee of Handicap International, the words row houses, tenements, and housing units which I used to juggle back in my previous jobs with the Philippine government housing agencies has been replaced by "emergency shelters", "transitional shelters" and "repair kits" – the seemingly magical words which, every time the potential beneficiaries hear, brings an indelible smile in their faces. read more »
The Handicap International Experience
Denise Margaret S. Matias, Project Officer (Information and communication)- Solid Waste Management Team It was 1985, two years after I was born, that Handicap International came to the Philippines. Unfortunately, I only got to know about Handicap International in 2009 when typhoon Ketsana (locally known as typhoon Ondoy) hit the Philippines and caused severe flooding and landslides. read more »
We were not prepared to such a catastrophe
October 06 2009
Michelle, Administrative Officer for Handicap International in the Philippines was at home with her family when the flood started in the city of Manila. She was very affected by the catastrophe seeing many people lost their lives and everything. She explains what happened for her. read more »
Typhoon Megi Emergency Response
Rehabilitation and Emergency Relief
Overview
The project’s main objective is to tackle the negative impacts of Typhoon Megi on affected populations of selected municipalities of Isabela by providing safe and decent living conditions, including households with persons with disabilities (PWD), older persons, and persons with chronic illnesses.
Main Activities for 2010:
- General assessment of 39 barangays focusing on collecting information on the most urgent needs expressed by those affected.
- Distribution of 950 emergency shelter kits in Divilacan
Damaged shelter in Quirino, Isabela |
Damaged shelter in Ilagan, Isabela |
Main Activities for 2011:
- Detailed assessment of affected households targeting extremely vulnerable individuals using well-designed assessment mechanisms and criteria.
- Distribution of 940 shelter repair kit under ECHO project.
- Distribution of 1200 shelter repair kit under Chaine du Bonheur (Swiss Solidarity) project.
- Monitoring from start of repair of shelter up to its completion to ensure it is typhoon resistant based on local practices and cluster standard.
- Assessed persons with specific needs benefitting from HI shelter support.
- Assessed persons with specific needs benefitting from other NGO’s shelter support.
- Distribution of technical aids to persons with specific needs.
- Accessibility modifications
- Mainstreaming disability and vulnerability in disaster response activities through trainings and workshops.
- Referral of persons with specific needs to relevant agencies.
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The team on the way to an assessment area |
Typical scene during distribution of kits. |
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Distribution |
Testimonies
Two Weeks after Typhoon Juan (Megi)
Maraming Salamat Po*
* Thank You Very Much!
By: Cesar C. San Pedro, HI - Isabela Project Manager
Isabela, Philippines. Located on the northern part of the Philippines and comprising of 35 municipalities and 2 component cities, it was severely damaged on 18 October, 2010 by super Typhoon Megi. read more »
PublicationsPublications/Emergency Response for Persons with Disabilities and other Vulnerable Groups
Donors
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Freedom Technology Wheelchairs Foundation Inc.
Background
The World Health Organization assumes that 15 percent of any national population has some form of disability. In the Philippines, there are no available comprehensive and accurate data on the number of PWD, neither at the national and nor at the regional or provincial levels.
The main issue noted is that the wheelchairs donated in the Philippines are often bad quality wheelchairs like “monoblock” wheelchairs or hospitals wheelchairs which are not fit for outdoor use. These wheelchairs are not appropriate for long term users and can cause more harm to the recipient.
Numerous charitable organizations are still donating hospital wheelchairs to children with Cerebral Palsy. These children need strong postural support and spending hours on a hospital wheelchair will be terribly uncomfortable for them and dangerous for their health.
FTWFI aims to provide the most appropriate assistive device for every wheelchair user. The World Health Organization Guidelines on the Provision of Manual Wheelchairs in Less-Resourced Settings enumerates the requirements for an appropriate wheelchair as follows:
- meets the user’s needs and environmental conditions
- provides proper fit and postural support
- is safe and durable
- is available in the country
- can be obtained and maintained with services sustained in the country at an affordable cost
Overview
Freedom Technology Wheelchair Foundation, Inc. (FTWFI) is a non-stock, nonprofit corporation committed to enhance the quality of life of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) by ensuring their safety, optimizing their mobility and integration into their community. Since 2005, Freedom Technology has been providing highly functional, custom-fit wheelchairs to hundreds of PWD all over the country. The corporation registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Reg. # CN 201005140) is located at Phividec Industrial Estate, Sta. Cruz, Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental.
FTWFI is the only production centre in the Philippines that fabricates wheelchairs in accordance to the Guidelines of the World Health Organization (WHO). In FTWFI, medical practitioners are trained to assess the conditions of wheelchair users before the device is produced. Users are briefed on the dangers of wrong wheelchairs. It ensures that the wheelchairs meet the user’s individual needs and environmental conditions, provide postural support, and are safe and durable. Moreover, all parts and materials of Freedom Technology wheelchairs are locally sourced to facilitate maintenance and future repair.
Freedom Technology Wheelchair Foundation Inc.
Our BRAND
The name Freedom Technology (FT) signifies an “assistive technology” device that promotes independence.
Assistive Technology and Clinical assessment are the two-pronged principles on which Freedom Technology wheelchair stands. FT wheelchair is all about empowering the user to optimize his capacity to integrate himself into his community and liberating him from the usual confinements of his disabilities.
Our VISION
A globally-competitive and sustainable social enterprise committed to enhance public awareness on the importance of custom-fit wheelchairs and optimize the mobility of wheelchair users.
Our MISSION
To advocate the importance of the guidelines set by World Health Organization (WHO) on the provision of manual wheelchairs, produce assistive devices that are custom-fit, highly functional and affordable and are easily accessible among wheelchair users, regardless of social classes and geographical locations.
Products
All Terrain
- With clinical assessment and measurement to ensure proper fitting
- Ideally designed for active users on any terrain
- 5-point axle position allowing adjustability
Supportive Seating
- Full-featured seating provides postural support
- With clinical assessment and measurement to ensure proper fitting
- Ideal for children with Cerebral Palsy or adults with spinal injuries or minimal upper body movement
- Modular, adjustable pads and straps that can accommodate a growing user
- Can be installed in the wheelchair to allow user to move and explore
Sports
- High performance wheelchair for sports activities
- Rigid lightweight frame with adjustable axle position
- Quick release lever adjusts anti tippers for street ball and outdoor games
Wheelchair Provision System
FTWFI is more than just a production center of wheelchairs. Rather it is what is referred to by the World Health Organization as a wheelchair provision system. There is a client-centered coordinated process involved in providing a particular wheelchair.
Publications Publications/Freedom Technology
Press Releases
Testimonies
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Before Wheelchair Provision
Jun Rey is 8-year-old boy with motor delay disorder. He lives with his parents. Since he has no wheelchair, he lays on his bed all day, while his father searches for a job and his mother sells rice cakes. His mother is the only sole bread-earner of the family. |
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After wheelchair provision
While the wheelchair of Jun Rey was delivered and fitted, his mother was completely elated. She didn’t expect that they would receive a post-Christmas gift for Jun Rey. When Jun Rey was finally seated in the wheelchair, he was a bit afraid at first but after a few minutes, we saw twinkles of happiness in his eyes too. With the new wheelchair, his mother claims that they will be able to commute more easily, without the constant worry of who will carry Jun Rey. Additionally, this new wheelchair has empowered Jun Rey to leave the house and interact with the other children of the community. |
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Before Wheelchair provision
Daniel is a 26-year-old male living with his parents. Daniel has been suffering from cerebral palsy since birth. His mother attends to all his needs. He only communicates by means of crying. He spends his days lying on the floor on a thin plywood mat. |
After wheelchair provision
Daniel cannot speak but you could see the happiness on his face when he saw the wheelchair. Daniel’s parents were very happy to see a proper wheelchair for his son. They said that now Daniel can see the sun outside and he will be able to go around and socialize with the other members of the community. As soon as Daniel was safely seated in his wheelchair his father took him outside for a tour of the neighborhood. |
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Before Wheelchair Provision
Philip is a 4-year-old cerebral palsy patient. He is the younger of two children and only his grandmother attends to his needs while his mother works. Philip is very responsive but he is left on his hammock for long periods while his grandmother tends to household chores.
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After wheelchair provision
Philip did not say anything on seeing the wheelchair, but his happiness did not need words for expression. His grandmother was there when the wheelchair was delivered. She was very happy too to see his grandson finally out of his hammock. After the fitting was completed, Philip James’s grandmother pushed the wheelchair around the house. With the new wheelchair his grandmother can now do the household chores easily and she can take Philip James around with her more easily. |
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Before Wheelchair Provision
Bernard Louie is a 20-year-old male living with his parents. He was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth. His mother believes that her son’s disability was caused because she had low amniotic fluid while she was pregnant. Bernard is the youngest of 6. The entire family is living in a house with one stair leading to his bedroom. Bernard spends his days lying on a plywood floor. His mother attends to all his needs. |
After wheelchair provision
Bernard Louie is unable to speak but he communicates through facial expressions and his happiness on seeing his new wheelchair is clearly decipherable. With his new wheelchair, he can move around and interact with his environment. His parents were very happy to see Bernard’s new customized wheelchair. They can now easily bring Bernard outside of the house whenever they want. |
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Before the Wheelchair provision
Angel is 4-years-old girl and lives with her parents in a hilly place. Her mother explained that her child was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy because of herbal drug (local medicines) intake during pregnancy. Angel has a wheelchair but this wheelchair is not adapted for someone who needs postural support. Sometimes her mother uses the wheelchair for Angel while she is doing household chores or needs to attend to her other child. Angel’s father is a laborer who earns little income, which is not enough to cover the entire family’s basic needs. |
After wheelchair provision
The mother of Angel was very happy to see the wheelchair. Now she can leave Angel in the wheelchair while she attends to Angel’s brother or when she does the household chores. Angel’s mother is now relieved to know Angel safe in her wheelchair. She said that now she will be able to bring Angel with her to the beach and get fresh air. Before, it was hard for her to go around with Angel because she had to carry her.
Angel can go to school with much convenience now that she has a proper wheelchair. |
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Before Wheelchair Provision
Myraflor is 16-year-old girl living with her parents in the poor purok. She was diagnosed with a spastic Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. Her mother explained that her child’s disability is due to medicine intake during her pregnancy.
Myraflor is very dependent on her immediate family members but is very responsive especially in the form of gestures. Because her mother has to take care of Myaflor, she can rarely do the household chores and she has a hard time looking for a livelihood source.
Myraflor’s father is a farmer. He has to carry her on his back to the barangay health center for checkups. Myraflor rarely sees what is outside of her house since she spends her days lying on the floor. |
After wheelchair provision
Myraflor cannot speak but she was all smiles when she saw her wheelchair. Her father was also happy to see that his daughter finally can go out of the house. The family members were all glad to see Myraflor on her wheelchair. The wheelchair will relieve her parents from having to constantly watch over her. Immediately after the fitting her, her father joyfully took her around the neighborhood. For the first time, in her life, Myraflor was able to see the surroundings of her house. Now that she has a wheelchair, it will also be easier for her to go to the barangay health center for her check ups. |
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Before the Wheelchair provision
Ronald is a 23 year old male with delayed motor disorder. He is living with his family. He is very dependent to his family member and mainly from his father. His mother died few years ago and his father is not working since he had to stop farm work due to health problems. Ronald has 3 siblings who had to stop school at an early age since their father cannot afford to pay the yearly school fees. They are now working and providing little financial support to Ronald’s and their father.
Ronald does not go out of the house and even for his everyday needs he does not leave his mat but he is very cooperative and responsive as long as things are clearly explained to him. He cannot walk; usually he sits on his mat the whole day. However, he can stand if someone supports him. Normally, he just plays with his rattle (an empty alcohol bottle filled with coins) while left inside the house alone
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After the Wheelchair provision
Ronald was very eager to see his wheelchair. Even before the physiotherapist finished the adjustments he already wanted to sit on the wheelchair. When it was finally ready he climb up to the chair on his own. He wanted to go out of the house and propel his wheelchair on his own. His father was very happy to see his son on his wheelchair and said that he will be able to do the house core more easily and faster now that Ronald can move independently. |
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Before Wheelchair Provision
Neralyn is a 30 years old female living with her parents. Her mother explained that Neralyn was born prematurely and diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. Neralyn is dependent of her immediate family members for her daily activities but she has a good sitting balance. She is also very responsive and always offer smile to others.
Her mother attends to all her needs while her father is working as a driver. Most of the time, Nearlyn is lying on the floor while her mother attends to the house hold chores. |
After wheelchair provision
Neralyn was smiling when she saw the wheelchair. With her new wheelchair, she will not be left alone in the house while her parents are out. Before, Neralyn was always left in the house as she is too heavy to be carried. Now, with her wheelchair, Neralyn can go out of the house and interact with her environment |
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Before Wheelchair Provision
Felipe is 38-year old male. He is the younger of 2 and still lives with his parents. He suffered polio when he was 1 year old. He is using crutches but he claims that he suffers shoulder pain especially after prolonged use of the crutches. As of now he is not working and depends on his parents but their earnings are barely enough to sustain their daily needs. If he was using a wheelchair, Felipe hopes he can help is family |
After wheelchair provision
When Felipe saw the wheelchair, he just could not believe it was already Christmas! He immediately thanked the team. While proceeding with the fitting, the team could feel his happiness. He said that the wheelchair will relieved of the pain in his shoulders every time he uses his crutches. Now, he can freely go around his community without experiencing shoulder pain. He also said that now he can help his parents and work as a street vendor as now he can go anywhere with his wheelchair. |
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Before the Wheelchair provision
Jojo is 29 years old living with his parents. One day, while on his way back home from work, riding on his motorcycle, a man shot him in the back. Jojo was rushed to the hospital and suffered a severe spinal cord injury. Since he was shot in May 2010, Jojo was confined to his bed. He hasn’t been followed by a Physical Therapist after he was discharged from the hospital. His immediate family members are the ones attending to his daily needs. His father is already 79 years old and he is not working anymore. They cannot even afford to buy their daily necessities nor the medications for Jojo. |
After wheelchair provision
Jojo was very happy to receive his wheelchair. After 6 months of just lying in his bed. He now can finally go out of the house and get some fresh air. At first, he was hesitant to propel his wheelchair but after encouragement from the FTWFI therapist and his family members, Jojo tried to push his wheelchair. It was the first time since the accident that Jojo was able to go around his house. Jojo will have now to strengthen his upper extremities so he can propel his wheelchair more easily. |
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Before the wheelchair provision
Christopher is 22 year old, male. He met a vehicular accident in 2009. Because of this accident he can no longer perform his activities of daily living, thus Christopher’s physician advised him to have a wheelchair. His father is engaged in farming while his mother is working as a Barangay Health Worker, but the family income is only enough for their daily basic needs. He has two sisters who are both in high school and need daily transportation allowances. The family has no capacity to buy an appropriate wheelchair for Christopher. |
After wheelchair provision
Christopher was given an All Terrain model wheelchair last December 2010. Modification has been done to accommodate his right foot because his foot contracted due to plantar flexion. Bahatala Team visited his home and advised his parents to do some minor modifications for the house to become more wheelchair friendly (Such as building a gravel ramp). Bahatala team also invited Christopher to join the next workshop the organization will organize on wheelchair maintenance.
Christopher was very about his new wheelchair and is planning to go back to school near their area. |
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Before the wheelchair provision
Modesta is paralyzed. She had a T4/T5 spinal cord injury due to a vehicular accident which happened in 1987. Modesta is the third among 6 siblings. She is an education graduate and used to teach in a private school prior to her accident. Now, she is totally dependent on her siblings for support both financially and morally. She needs a wheelchair that will suit her needs and so she can work and function independently. However, her family has no capacity to buy such a wheelchair for her. |
After wheelchair provision
It was decided to prescribe an all terrain model wheelchair due to its features such as pressure relief cushion. It’s stable chair suitable for Modesta, easier for her to roam around to her community, and to sell her stitched commodities. She will also be trained by Bahatala team on how to maintain wheelchair. |
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Before wheelchair provision
John is a both knee amputee due to peripheral vascular disease. He used to work as mechanic maintenance in a Trident Mining based in Palawan and he used to do labor works to support his family. He has 8 children and some of them are already graduated from College. The family depends primarily on John’s pension from the Social Security System and the limited financial support provided by some of his children. But this limited support is not enough to sustain their daily needs. He needs a wheelchair for easy mobility to enable him to do his daily activities independently, do some house hold chores and to interact with his community. |
After wheelchair provision
John received an all terrain wheelchair on December 2010 The wheelchair was given to him with no major modification done, except for the axle that was placed on the forth to make him more stable. The wheelchair fits on his needs especially on the rough and muddy terrain in his community.
After the final fitting, John was instructed by Bahatala team instructed on how to maintain the chair and they had him test the wheelchair on uneven terrain. John is thankful for the wheelchair as he will be able to continue his independent lifestyle with his new chair. |
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Before the wheelchair provision
Bonifacio is a 14 years old boy. Boni was diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. He can, however, manage to dress, eat, drink and bath with limited supervision. He has limited interaction with the other members of his community due to the inaccessibility of the homes and surroundings. He has limited association to community dwellers given inaccessible home. He had experience of wheelchair but the one he used was not properly fitted. His mother is his primary care giver and expressed inconvenience in transporting her child due to increasing weight and height. A properly fitted wheelchair for Boni will help her in her daily activities, knowing that her son is safe and that he can move around on his own. |
Before wheelchair provision
Feby from Southern Leyte was diagnosed with Multiple Developmental Delay with predominant motor delay and bony problems in the spine and lower extremities. Feby is the youngest of 6. Feby has limited range of motion on her upper extremities but can manage to write and read. Until recently she was attending school but had to stop due to the difficulties faced by her mother and elder sister the ones were caring her.
Feby can maintain long sitting with both hands while holding a support. She can as well raise her hand momentarily without falling on either side. |
After wheelchair provision
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After wheelchair provision
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Before the wheelchair provision
Mary, 7 years old was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. She is dependent in her every day activities and has difficulty interacting with others due to speech impediments. However, she adapted and use body language to express her needs.
Mary has a twin brother, Ian, whom she feels close to. He is taking care of her. Mary attends SpEd (Special Education) classes at the nearby Central School in the morning and rehabilitation sessions in the afternoon. |
Before wheelchair provision
James was diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy and found to be weak in ambulation, standing. James has difficulties following instructions as he cannot express his needs appropriately. James is not very sociable and often misses the rehab sessions due to regular fever which limit even further his interaction with others.
His family lives in a single room surrounded by rough terrain. His home is not accessible to standard wheelchairs as they will break more easily on such terrain. His mother is his main care giver as his father has to go to work. His mother has expressed difficulties to transport her son due to his increase in weight and height.
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After the wheelchair provision
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After wheelchair provision
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Before Wheelchair Provision
Leonarda is 68 years old and lives with her husband, who is sick, and all their children and their families. They make a living by vending food in the street and with their sari-sari store. Usually she stays in her dark room all day long.
A vehicular accident caused her current disability but she is also suffering from degenerative neurologic disorder. Her family members wish that she could have a wheelchair improve her mobility and allow her to avail of the free medical consultations organized in her community but also help her to interact with her environment |
After Wheelchair Provision
After the fitting of the wheelchair and instructions were given, Leonarda could not help but cry. Those were tears of joy. Her husband told us that now with her wheelchair, it will be easy for her to go to church and go around the neighborhood without depending too much on her family members. |
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Before wheelchair provision
Daisyber was born with Spina Bifida Occulta and lives with his parents and siblings. His parents don’t have the money to consult specialist so he never received a treatment for his condition. Daisyber is going to elementary school and is currently in grade 3. Most of the time, he crawls his way to school, or his relatives and friends carry him. If Daisyber gets a wheelchair he will be more autonomous and mobile and able to contribute to house hold chores. |
After wheelchair provision
The wheelchair was delivered at Daisyber’s school and he could not contain his happiness when he saw it. He said that the wheelchair be a great help for him especially to go to school. He said that he can also play with his classmates and friends now that he has a wheelchair.
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Before wheelchair provision
Angel is a 12-year old cerebral palsy child. She is living with her parents. Her mother explained that even if the pregnancy went generally well she suffered hypertension and had a difficult labor which might be the cause of her daughter’s disability.
Angel was diagnosed with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. She is dependent in activities of daily leaving and has difficulty interacting with others due to speech impediments. However, Angel uses body language to express her needs such as eye contact, smiling and grunting. |
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After wheelchair provision
Angel has been actively attending Sped (Special Education) classes in the morning and rehabilitation sessions in the afternoons. Now that she is using her supportive seating wheelchair, she has improved her participation in both activities The main objective of providing her a supportive seating wheelchair was to improve her posture and to provide her a motivation for her continued enrollment in the school activities. |
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Before wheelchair provision
The P.O.C. Stallions Wheelchair Basketball Team was formed in August of 2007 through the initiative of Adeline Dumapong and a group of 12 disabled men from Cubao, Quezon City who often comes together to play wheelchair basketball whenever possible. It has become a regular recreation activity for them. Aside from that it has also developed into a form of a support group where the members share their thoughts and ideas in current goings-on in their lives. After some time of playing together, POC Stallions decided to join the Philippine Wheelchair Basketball League, an annual wheelchair basketball competition organized by the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA). However, when they joined, one major problem was having the right wheelchair for basketball. While all players have their personal wheelchairs, only 3 players have the proper wheelchair for basketball. Thus, the players had to borrow and exchange wheelchairs in the middle of a game which really destroys the momentum of the game. |
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After Wheelchair Provision
The same problem has existed until the donation of 6 units sports wheelchair from the Lloyd George Asia Foundation was delivered last month, January 2011 through the help of Handicap International.
POC Team Stallions is now very happy because of the new basketball wheelchair. They hope that they can now have faster moves and better plays in playing wheelchair basketball. |
Donors
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