wheelchairs4Thailand

Hi all,

many years and many times i go to visit my second homeland Thailand. Everybody knows it as "the land of the smile". Accualy it's true. Many peoples do smile all day. But Thailand isn't always a land for smiling.

Many peoples, children, young ones, elderly peoples, many of them can't get any help from the gouvernement. During my trips i did meet and see many peoples who have health problems. Some could be helped with a wheelchair, some with crutches and others with walkers. But many don't have any funds to pay for this. Other persons can get their lifes back with an operation. But for poor peoples without any insurance all this is unpayable.

If you know a normal salary in Thailand is about $300-$400 and some operations can cost up to $15000 you understand that these peoples will never get a chance without your help.

Almost 2 years ago i did meet a person like this. A young proud woman named Ploy. Ploy have sciatica ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sciatica) . She told me that she needed an operation but that she was scared because maybe she could not walk anymore. So as long she could she would fight the pain.

I will always remember our first meeting in a coffeeshop in Bangkok. Even she did not have many money to spend without any question she did help a poor boy with some money. You needed to see the smile on his face :).

Since that time we stayed in touch. She never complained about her health. She was always so very possitive even when her back hurts so much she could not sleep from pain. But when she could help somebody it was like she never felt any pain. Her breathless smile was very touching.

Since end december i didn't hear from her anymore and two months ago i did find out why. Ploy isn't able to walk anymore. Her legs are very sore and the nerves are completely blocked. She is completly immobilised and can only sleep on her matras on the floor. This proud woman who always enjoyed her freedom is now surrendered at the good care of her old mother. She also did need to move back to her old village Waeng Noi ( about 400 kms from Bangkok). And she needs to struggle now with her pride. Because in Thailand it's normal that young daughters take care her old and sick parents. Not the way around.

She also lost her job in the factory so now they don't have any income. No money for food or insurance. So no money for her operation.

Ploy is still proud and when i offered her some money she didn't want to accept it for herself.

I would like to help her pay her operation ( http://www.bumrungrad.com/en/institute-spine-surgery-thailand/endoscopic-lumbar-discectomy ). This will cost about 350000bht ( about $12000 at daily changing exchange rates ). But after this she still will need after care for about 3-6 months. All this time she also need to stay near the hospital in Bangkok. So she and her mom need to find a place to stay in Bangkok. where she need to rent a hospital bed and wheelchair and also pay extra rent and food. All this would cost her about $15000.

I would like to raise $15000 or about 600.000bht for her.

The next $15000/600.000 bht, or hopefully alot more,i would like to donate at an organisation ( http://www.assistdisabled.org/projects/baan-piranan.htm ) who donates wheelchairs, crutches and walkers at peoples who can't afford it. I did visit this place about 4 years ago and they really do a great job. One wheelchairs costs about $300. They also spend the money for beds, walkers and crutches. But also healthcare at home for those who can't go to a hospital or don't have any relatives to help them.

If one day you are near Chiang Mai give them a visit and make a Thai happy and smile. And feel happy for what you can do for them.

I can't do this alone.I need help so please help me help them.

All donations go directly to my paypal account; you are donating directly to me, rather than a third party, and no fees will be deducted from your donation!

God bless you all.