The Miracle of Mobility

Back in October of 2008, in Bushbuck Ridge, South Africa I met a young woman named Athalia.

I went to her home with a social worker and representatives from a non-profit group there. I was told she needed a wheelchair, and when I got to her home, it was clear this beautiful woman indeed needed and deserved that wheelchair.

Unfortunately, we did not have any wheelchairs with us that day, but were just out assessing the needs in the area. But I left there with a promise that Athalia would get her wheelchair.

This is the picture I took of Athalia on my visit to her home.

 
Three months later Athalia got her first wheelchair. For 19 years she sat in her home, just watching TV, only dreaming of what life outside would be like. In February 2009, after she received her wheelchair she began going to school and life as she knew it changed forever. Here’s a clip of what her life is like on a daily basis –
 
 

This last week Free Wheelchair Mission had our annual summer event, Magic of Mobility, and Athalia was our guest of honor. She was so beautiful and filled with light and love. She has only been learning English for a year, but she gave a speech in English and moved the 500 people in the audience to tears.   I cannot even imagine how overwhelming it must have all been for her, she was definitely inspired that night. 

We spent some quality time with Athalia during the week, she got to go to Disneyland, and in a pool for the first time. Then on Friday she even had the opportunity to surf! Check out this news clip!

I am so thankful for that day in 2008 when we discovered Athalia, languishing in a room, that miracles have happened. Today she is flourishing, receiving the education she always desired, looking forward to a career and even had a trip to the USA and helped FWM raise nearly 1 million dollars in one night!
The miracles of mobility are truly amazing.