Wheelchairs in Paraguay


One year ago today, most of us were pretty blissfully ignorant of the almost unprecedented crisis we were about to embark on. We all had begun to hear some of the concerns. It would be the next day, March 11, that WHO would declare COVID-19 a pandemic. But almost all of us underestimated the impact on us individually and collectively.
One year ago today Bonnie and I were in southeastern Paraguay, doing interviews with wheelchair recipients. This was one of our favorite assignments. These people had all come into contact with us because of challenges resulting from disease, accidents, birth defects, or age. Many had experienced suffering that most of us can barely imagine.
Our assignment was to conduct a short interview about the process that our in-country partners followed in sharing the chair, to ensure that the policies established by the Church and WHO for wheelchair donations were followed; and to evaluate the condition and performance of the chair and make sure it is still serving well.
Most of these people were overwhelmingly grateful for having been given a chair of such high quality. It was often life-changing. We were so pleased to feel their gratitude on behalf of the Church.
On this particular day last year, we had one of the most poignant experiences of our mission. The young woman in the chair in the first photo was 16 years old, and is obviously very handicapped. She could not speak, and had very minimal body control. Our interview was with her mother, the devoted care-giver. But the young woman, named Milagro ("Miracle"), exuded joy and peace from her countenance in spite of her condition.
At one point in the interview, Milagro reached over to where I was sitting near her, and shakily grasped my hand. She pulled it to her lips, looked in my eyes, and gave me a gentle and tender kiss.
Bonnie and I could scarcely contain our emotions.
Sometimes challenges and problems in life make people bitter and angry. Sometimes they make them humble and gentle. And some people are just born angels, and face whatever life brings with rare courage and dignity.
I #GiveThanks profoundly for those I've met in my life who deal with handicaps, disabilities, and chronic illness. I have so often felt great respect and admiration for these individuals who bear crosses usually not of their choosing. I aspire to that kind of confidence and hope.





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