California benefit provides wheelchairs for Ukraine (03/14/99)

California benefit provides wheelchairs for Ukraine

LOS ANGELES - Guests of the California Association to Aid Ukraine (CAAU) dined and danced on the evening of February 6 for a worthy cause.

Proceeds from the gala event have been designated for the Wheelchairs for Ukraine program, a joint project initiated by the CAAU with two other non-profit organizations, Wheels for Humanity and Direct Relief International (DRI). In a little over a year, three shipments of wheelchairs and related items have been made to Lviv, Ternopil and Stryi in Ukraine, totaling about 16 tons, for an estimated wholesale value of over $1 million.

The impact on the recipients in Ukraine is enormous. These wheelchairs have provided mobility and a means for self-sufficiency for about 400 adults and children. The goal for 1999 is to ship at least another 400 chairs, with an eventual goal to deliver wheelchairs to all oblasts (regions) in Ukraine.

Since 1995 Wheels for Humanity has collected donations of new and used wheelchairs and, with volunteer labor, has refurbished and distributed over 1,400 wheelchairs to people around the world.

For nearly 15 years Direct Relief International (DRI) has collected and shipped donations of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals and supplies to charitable hospitals around the world.

The CAAU, in partnership with these two organizations, has, thus far, supplied volunteer labor and funding for travel expenses of the technical support personnel accompanying each shipment to Ukraine.

On display at the ball were many photos of work sessions at the Wheels for Humanity facilities, as well as of recipients in their new wheelchairs. Arkadi Mulak, CAAU chairman and leader of the first distribution team to Ukraine, commented that "the smiles on the faces of the recipients as they sit in their customized chairs for the first time is unbelievably moving."

Also on display were two wheelchairs, "before" and "after" refurbishment. The "after" version was a sports model customized for an active recipient and painted in the colors of Ukraine for the occasion by Dr. Roman Kulczycky, CAAU president.

The joint project is also working toward another goal: to establish refurbishment facilities in Ukraine

In addition to the shipments of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, and other equipment and supplies, the Wheelchairs for Ukraine program will establish a service and repair facility at each distribution site. Each site will be equipped with spare parts and tools, and the staff will be trained to perform the work as well as train others. Three manuals dealing with rehabilitation therapies have been translated into Ukrainian. Plans are now being made for instructional classes to accompany the manuals.

The next shipments are scheduled for Volyn and Rivne oblasts.

The CAAU continues to accept contributions for the Wheelchairs for Ukraine program. Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to CAAU (Wheelchairs), c/o Bohdan Mykytyn, Treasurer, 5325 Teesdale Ave., North Hollywood, CA 91607.

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