For children with special needs, the equipment that they use daily is essential to their comfort and well-being and cannot be underestimated. As children and young adults grow, their needs change and their equipment must reflect this. Equipment that is not well-fitted can pose a great risk for skeletal deformities, sores, infection among other risks.
In September 2020, the World Forgotten Children Foundation (WFCF) funded $6,459 USD toward mobility equipment for three children served by International China Concern (ICC).
About International China Concern (ICC)
ICC is a Christian development organization that provides love, hope and opportunity to children with disabilities and strives to end abandonment and give life to the abandoned, as they believe each child is precious and deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential.
ICC works in two cities in China’s Hunan province, Changsha and Hengyang, where they run residential care, family-style group homes, special education, therapy programs, and more for the children in their direct care. Through their Family Partners Programme, they are also able to come alongside families raising children with disabilities and provide support services.
Providing Comfort and Mobility to Children and Young Adults
The equipment purchased through WFCF’s funding includes a wheelchair, travel buggy, and walker manufactured by Etac (formerly R82), a world-leading developer of ergonomic mobility aids for people of all stages of life.
Yang Heng Hang, a young man with profound and multiple disabilities needs equipment that is specialized and adjustable. Unfortunately, his previous wheelchair was too small and he was at great risk for developing skeletal deformities. He was given a new x:panda high-quality wheelchair which provides tilt in space, additional support laterals, medials, and a seat and back that can be expanded. It will undoubtedly provide much comfort to him as he grows.
A transport buggy was provided to Yang Ji Fu, a 7 year-old-boy who is currently too tall to sit in a standard child’s stroller, but too small for an ordinary transit wheelchair. He cannot walk without a lot of support and this means that his mobility would be extraordinarily limited without this buggy. The buggy allows him, with the support of his caregivers, to get out and about and enjoy the indoors and outdoors with ease.
A crocodile walker was provided to Yang Fu Sheng, an active and growing 15 year-old-boy who had outgrown his old walking frame and needed something more solid and stable than a regular walking frame. He is now able to stand tall and trusts this new walker which gives him confidence, comfort, and independence.
Past and Future Projects
WFCF has been pleased to be able to collaborate with ICC several times over the past few years. For more information on projects funded by WFCF for ICC and other organizations that support children in need globally, please visit WFCF’s funded projects page.
Also, WFCF recently interviewed ICC’s founder, David Gotts. View the interview here to learn more about ICC’s milestones and what is on the horizon.
