Students gather wheelchairs and more, will donate to Third World countries
Students are putting their passion into action as they collect assistive devices to help improve accessibility and mobility for the needy around the world. The Physical Therapist Assistant Club at Kirkwood Community College is collecting donated wheelchairs, aluminum crutches, canes and foldable walkers to send to Third World countries.
The donated items go to the organization Wheels for the World, which fixes the items and distributes them globally. This is the first time Kirkwood students have set up a collection site for this organization, but hope to make it an annual collection drive. Their work is part of a statewide drive by the Iowa Physical Therapy Association.
“When we think about helping the needy in developing countries, we often think of donating things like food, water and clothing,” said Physical Therapist Assistant Program Director Maggie Thomas. “We’re finding that there are a lot of people whose mobility needs aren’t being met, and we wanted to make sure they get the right help.”
Kirkwood students will be collecting the wheelchairs throughout the entire month of October, recognized as National Physical Therapy Month. The students are working with local hospitals and physical therapy clinics to get donations.
Student Dawn McCormick says helpful items “could be in a closet or attic” that would help people in other countries. “We know lots of people that may have a cane or walker from a surgery or rehab a while ago. Here is the chance to put them to use again for people who really need them,” she said.
If you have a wheelchair or other assistive device that you want to donate, bring it to 221 Linn Hall during normal business hours, or call 319-398-5566. Thomas can also answer inquiries via e-mail:
maggie.thomas@kirkwood.edu