Momentum Wheels for Humanity

Oleh is a scientist and a military veteran. He has a double amputation of his left arm and left leg due to war injuries.   "When I took off my prosthesis, I had no other option for transportation but a wheelchair. The team at the Assistive Technology Hub selected an appropriate wheelchair for me. This is a very specific service, because my lifestyle, wishes, and physical need must be considered in addition to the nature of my injury. The specialists explained how to use it and told me everything about its practical application. The selection was done in cooperation with me, considering my notes and comments. They adjusted everything, and set it up in such a way that I could use it comfortably," Oleh said. He added, "my wheelchair is my only way to move indoors or outdoors. It allows me to feel independent." #assistivetechnology #rehabilitation #inclusionmatters #leavenoonebehind

Integrating wheelchair service training into university programs for rehabilitation and health professionals helps ensure a lasting solution to the global need for qualified providers. In Pakistan, our team published a resource that outlines basic wheelchair service training and advocates for its integration into university curricula to meet this need. Our recommendations aim to improve the quality and accessibility of wheelchair services, enhancing the mobility and quality of life for those who rely on them. Read the brief here: https://lnkd.in/g2T6pms3 This brief was made as part of the ReLAB-HS Consortium. #inclusion #leavenoonebehind #pakistan #rehabilitation

Momentum Wheels for Humanity recently facilitated the first commission of people with disabilities to review national disaster policies for inclusiveness in El Salvador. Tomás, a resilient community leader, exemplifies this effort.   Tomás is a wheelchair user living in a flood-prone area and was forced to evacuate his home during recent storms. Despite his own mobility challenges, he led efforts to shelter 90 people, including those with disabilities.   The commission meeting was powerful for Tomás because, for the first time, local institutions actively involved people with disabilities in emergency planning.    Momentum Wheels for Humanity - along with our partners - is addressing the gaps in disability-inclusive disaster response in El Salvador. As Tomás said, "it’s time to ensure no one is left behind in times of crisis."   Learn more about our inclusive disaster relief efforts at momentum4humanity.org   #disasterrelief #assistivetechnology #rehabilitation #inclusionmatters #leavenoonebehind

Our fiscal year 2024 impact report is now available. We’ve made a lifetime of difference for thousands of children and adults in need: 🔹Reached over 77,500 individuals worldwide  🔹Provided direct services to 18,518 children and adults 🔹18,882 assistive products provided 🔹Provided 4,510 wheelchairs to individuals and service providers 🔹Trained 1,524 physical rehabilitation professionals View the report here: https://lnkd.in/gDMpdy8G We could not have made such a big impact without the generous support of our donors. #inclusion #rehabilitation #physicaltherapy #wheelchairlife #bethechange

Oleksandr, a veteran from Kharkiv, lost both lower limbs to a mine injury. His motivation to regain his independence has always been his family. "I feel most like myself when I can independently overcome any obstacles and be where I want to be, where my children want me to be," he shared. The Momentum Wheels for Humanity team worked closely with Oleksandr, providing a properly fitted wheelchair and skills training. Even when his wheelchair was accidentally damaged during training, it was quickly replaced under warranty. Oleksandr completed wheelchair service training through Momentum Wheels for Humanity and is now certified to provide basic services. He plans to work with Superhumans Center to teach others how to use wheelchairs. "I had valuable interactions with colleagues—they shared their experiences, and I shared mine whenever possible. My aspiration is to become a peer mentor, teaching others how to use wheelchairs. The knowledge and certification I received are invaluable to me." Oleksandr’s story highlights the profound impact of appropriate wheelchair services and training in restoring independence and mobility. Momentum Wheels for Humanity is committed to providing these essential services to empower individuals like Oleksandr to lead independent lives. #successstory #assistivetechnology #rehabilitation #inclusionmatters #leavenoonebehind

The second cohort of students in Tajikistan's entry-level physical therapy program started this month! Now, over 50 students are enrolled in the country’s first-ever physical therapy university program.    To support the program’s success, we are continuing to strengthen the skills of the program’s teachers. Last month, we conducted the second of three in-classroom mentorship sessions with World Physiotherapy and provided clinical training on prosthetics and orthotics to ensure the teachers are equipped to teach Tajikistan’s future rehabilitation professionals. 📸: Prosthetics and orthotics training This project is made possible through the generous support of USAID #Tajikistan #Dushanbe #rehabilitation #P&O #inclusionmatters #bethechange

We are excited to announce that Momentum Wheels for Humanity has been awarded a $40 million grant from USAID to launch the Rehabilitation for Ukraine (Rehab4U) project! More than 250,000 people each year require physical rehabilitation because of the ongoing war with Russia. Rehab4U is designed to address this crisis by improving how rehabilitation care is managed, funded, and delivered, as well as by increasing access to essential assistive products. Over the next five years, we will work to strengthen and expand rehabilitation services across the country, ensuring more people can get the care they need to recover from injury and live as independently as possible. Rehab4U builds on Momentum Wheels for Humanity’s long history of working in Ukraine. The project has three key priorities: 💪 Strengthen rehabilitation governance capacity ♿ Increase access to rehabilitation services and assistive technology 💙 Promote inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in their communities and Ukraine’s economic recovery Learn more about Rehab4U: momentum4humanity.org Momentum Wheels for Humanity, in partnership with Results for Development, Project HOPE, the National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities in Ukraine, and Deloitte, will lead activities to address both immediate needs and long-term systemic changes. #Rehab4U #Ukraine #LeaveNoOneBehind #InclusionMatters #Rehabilitation #AssistiveTechnology

One year ago, we launched a USAID funded project in partnership with ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru to enable long-term investment for sustainable access to AT.     In each country, we led the first-ever baseline assessments on AT, a crucial step in identifying existing capacity, challenges, and opportunities that will inform national policies and programs.      In El Salvador, our efforts led to new government initiatives to integrate assistive products into the national health system.      In Peru, we helped develop a national action plan and assessment report that will soon be publicly available, empowering civil society to push for real change by holding the government accountable.     In total, over 1,900 stakeholders were engaged and nearly 67,000 people were reached with AT awareness materials.    #LatinAmerica #Caribbean #wheelchairlife #inclusion #assistivetechnology #ATscale #leavenoonebehind    Hace un año, pusimos en marcha un proyecto financiado por USAID en asociación con ATscale, the Global Partnership for Assistive Technology El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras y Perú para permitir la inversión a largo plazo para el acceso sostenible a la tecnología de distancia.      En cada país, dirigimos las primeras evaluaciones de referencia sobre la tecnología de asistencia, un paso crucial para identificar la capacidad, los desafíos y las oportunidades existentes que servirán de base para las políticas y los programas nacionales.       En El Salvador, nuestros esfuerzos condujeron a nuevas iniciativas gubernamentales para integrar los productos de asistencia en el sistema nacional de salud.       En Perú, ayudamos a desarrollar un plan de acción nacional y un informe de evaluación que pronto estarán disponibles públicamente, empoderando a la sociedad civil para impulsar un cambio real al hacer que el gobierno rinda cuentas.      En total, se involucró a más de 1.900 partes interesadas y se llegó a casi 67.000 personas con materiales de concienciación sobre la tecnología de asistencia.   #LatinoAmérica #Caribe #VidaEnSillaDeRuedas #Inclusión #TecnologíaAsistencial #ATscale #NoDejemosANadieAtrás 

What does full inclusion really mean and why is it important in disaster risk reduction? Jenny Chinchilla, Project Coordinator with the Sendas Foundation, shares her thoughts. “Full inclusion means people with disabilities must not only be beneficiaries or spectators of support programs, but we must also be decision-making protagonists in the creation of public policies regarding the issues.  Every time there are emergency situations (in El Salvador), public entities put out messages and press conferences and they always forget to include an interpreter next to the person who is officially giving the message. So, what happens? That alert doesn’t reach the population on equal terms.  The other thing is that many people with disabilities reside in high-risk locations, such as riverbanks, often without adequate access to roads. This means they cannot easily use their wheelchair or other mobility aid to evacuate and often have to be carried out during emergencies.”  With funding from USAID and in partnership with Sendas Foundation and the Ministry of Health of El Salvador, we are working to bolster the resilience of people with disabilities to the effects of climate change by strengthening national and regional capacity for disability-inclusive disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery in El Salvador. Ministry of Health: https://www.salud.gob.sv ¿Qué significa realmente la plena inclusión y por qué es importante en la reducción del riesgo de desastres? Jenny Chinchilla, Coordinadora de Proyectos de la Fundación Sendas, comparte sus pensamientos.   "La inclusión plena significa que las personas con discapacidad no solo debemos ser beneficiarias o espectadoras de los programas de apoyo, sino que también debemos ser protagonistas en la toma de decisiones en la creación de políticas públicas frente a estos temas.  Cada vez que hay situaciones de emergencia (en El Salvador), las entidades públicas emiten mensajes y conferencias de prensa y siempre se olvidan de incluir un intérprete al lado de la persona que está dando oficialmente el mensaje. Entonces, ¿qué sucede? Esa alerta no llega a la población en igualdad de condiciones.   La otra cosa es que muchas personas con discapacidad residen en lugares de alto riesgo, como las orillas de los ríos, a menudo sin acceso adecuado a las carreteras. Esto significa que no pueden usar fácilmente su silla de ruedas u otro dispositivo de ayuda a la movilidad para evacuar y, a menudo, tienen que ser llevados a cabo durante emergencias".  Con fondos de USAID y en asociación con Sendas Fundación y la Ministerio de Salud de El Salvador, estamos trabajando para reforzar la resiliencia de las personas con discapacidad a los efectos del cambio climático mediante el fortalecimiento de la capacidad nacional y regional para la reducción, respuesta y recuperación del riesgo de desastres inclusiva de las personas con discapacidad en El Salvador. Ministerio de Salud: https://www.salud.gob.sv

When someone in need receives a wheelchair, crutches, or other assistive product, it creates a wave of positive change. It transforms their life, uplifts their family, and strengthens their community.      Momentum Wheels for Humanity has been providing quality assistive products to people with physical disabilities in Latin America and the Caribbean for 28 years, and in that time, we’ve transformed the lives of thousands of children and adults with physical disabilities. ##LatinAmerica #Caribbean #assistivetechnology #rehabilitation #inclusionmatters #leavenoonebehind Cuando alguien necesitado recibe una silla de ruedas, muletas u otro producto de asistencia, se crea una ola de cambio positivo. Transforma su vida, eleva a su familia y fortalece su comunidad.       Momentum Wheels for Humanity ha estado proporcionando productos de asistencia de calidad a personas con discapacidades físicas en América Latina y el Caribe durante 28 años, y en ese tiempo, hemos transformado la vida de miles de niños y adultos con discapacidades físicas.     #LatinoAmérica #Caribe #TecnologíaAsistencial #Rehabilitación #LaInclusiónImporta #NoDejemosANadieAtrás