Obedient Ankrah is a security guard on the LDS temple grounds. One afternoon he called and asked if he could come talk to us in our office. He told us he walks by a cobbler in the market every morning on his way to work. Realizing one day that he needed his shoes repaired, Obedient went to the cobbler. Alex agreed to make the repairs. That night Obedient could not stop thinking about Alex, who has been in a wheelchair his whole life. Alex's wheelchair was 13 years old and in very poor condition. Obedient asked us if there were anything we could do to help Alex get a new wheelchair.
A couple of weeks ago, we attended a training course sponsored by LDS Charities and Ghana Health Service. Selected physical therapists and technicians from several hospitals throughout Ghana were invited to learn how to fit wheelchairs to individuals, assemble the wheelchairs, then train the recipients on how to maintain them. Over 300 wheelchairs were donated by LDS Charities. Ghana Health Service was responsible for distributing the wheelchairs to the hospitals. The trained therapists and technicians will use their newly-acquired skills to assist those who receive wheelchairs.
What perfect timing! We knew whom Obedient should contact, and Alex was a good candidate for a wheelchair. As a father of 5 small children, his meager income goes entirely to providing for his little family. This past week we were able to take Obedient and Alex to get a new wheelchair. We loved being a part of this sweet experience.
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| Alex's shoe repair shop | Obedient and Alex |
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| Interview at Ghana Health Service | Measuring for the new wheelchair |
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| Adjustments | Making the foot rests the right height |
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| Rearranging the cushion | Alex's faithful companion for 13 years |
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| Fitting the straps | Orientation completed |
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| Alex was overwhelmed with gratitude | He couldn't wait to show his wife and children |
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| Carefully packing up | Reading the instruction manual |
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| Returning to the shop... | ...and back to work! |
