Manual Wheelchairs - World Health Organization

70 I guIdelInes on the provIsIon of manual wheelchaIrs In less resourced settIngs
Box 3.1.
Wheelchairs changing lives …
Testimonial from a user in romania
Ciprian is 25 years old and lives in
Sfantu Gheorghe, Romania. Three
years ago he became paraplegic
after falling from a roof while
at work and lost any hope that
he would ever have a normal
and active life again. Some time
after the accident, however,
he heard about a local
nongovernmental organization
that provided support for users.
Through the wheelchair service
run by the organization, Ciprian
received an active-style manual
wheelchair that was fitted for him.
He was also invited to participate
in a peer group training camp.
Ciprian says: “Once I got there I realized that I could have an independent life. Through
the peer group training, I learnt to use my wheelchair very well. I also had the chance to
talk with other users involved in the programme. At the end of the camp, I was asked if I
would like to become a peer group trainer. Of course, I was very happy about this chance
that had just been offered to me. In January 2006, I started my work as an instructor.
Through my wheelchair, and peer training, I have recovered the independence I thought
I had lost because of the injury. In addition to my peer group training work, I take part in
various competitions and sports activities for people in wheelchairs. Working with people
with disabilities makes me feel that I am useful again and that I finally have a normal life
testimonial
after I had had such a hard time overcoming the health problems brought about by the
injury.”