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Ashirwad mobility camps
Ashirwad Getting you back on your feet Mobility camps have been conducted throughout Gujarat by the Ashirwad Trust. Where a need is identified the population in the local vicinity to the camp is screened and a functional assessment is made in the home environment of individuals requiring mobility assistance. Equipment such as wheelchairs, tricycles, callipers, artificial limbs, CT chairs, crutches, hearing aids and educational kits are subsequently distributed in the mobility camps.
Over
10,000 mobility aids distributed by Ashirwad Trust
recipients, to thank all donors and staff, to remember the values of charity and to give blessings for the occasion.
CASE STUDY: VANSDA CAMP Ashirwad Mobility Camp Location: Vansda, Gujarat, India Date 21st - 23rd Jan 2013 Vansda, a small town near Valsad, Gujarat, was identified as having villagers requiring mobility assistance aids.
Those requiring arm or leg prosthetic limbs had measurements and impressions of their limb stump taken at initial screening so that a custom made cast could be prepared in advance. This was then fitted and adjusted on the day.
At the camp, recipients were welcomed at the registration desk and then directed to the allocated areas for different mobility services according to their assessments. They submitted their papers and were given their mobility appliance with training on how to use it.
All recipients were provided a sumptuous lunch. If they had travelled long distances, transport was provided to help them get their tricycle or wheelchair back home.
Numbers:
Screening sessions had been held in 3 village locations near Vansda a month prior to the camp. The communities : had been informed through leaflet distribution and newspaper articles about the camp and screening : sessions. A total of 934 recipients were identified and registered to attend the mobility camp over 3 days in January 2013.
Total Recipients: 934 Tricycles: 144 Wheelchairs: 97 Cerebral Palsy chairs: 10 Calipers: 66 Artificial limbs: 62 Other: 555
On the day of the camp a ceremony was conducted to welcome all
Param Pujya Bhaishree's empowering message
At the camp's opening blessing ceremony Bhaishree highlighted the benefits of compassion in one's heart. He explained that we are all differently abled. We see the physical constraints in the people around us, but are blind to our own mental disabilities, our lack of open mindedness, will power and strength of conviction. We often fail to endure such small obstacles in life where those with physical disabilities suffer a great extent yet have the ability to smile and show love.
By giving these people help to manage their physical constraints we allow them to discover their vast potential, to explore their abilities and become self-sufficient in life. They gain the chance to get up and run.
We too should be inspired to free ourselves from our bindings, discover our inner strengths and abilities and move forward towards our goals in life.
He spoke directly to the beneficiaries empowering them by telling them there was nothing they couldn't achieve if they put their mind to it. The biggest obstacle holding us back is ourselves.
2013 // Janhit 29
