Kiwanians donate wheelchair to mother in need

THE THIRD day into a weeklong celebration of the 28th anniversary of the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston saw President Paulette Kirkland donating an automated wheelchair to an indigent resident of the Golden Age Home in Vineyard Town, St Andrew.

This activity is routine for the club as part of the ongoing exercise to support persons with disabilities in improving their lived experience, both day to day and by being able to access more life-enriching opportunities.

After being afflicted with childhood poliomyelitis and a later life-changing physiological illness, it became more and more difficult for Claudette Saunders to be mobile, and so she reached out to Kirkland last earlier this month when the club visited the home for its monthly caregiving project.

GRATEFUL RECIPIENT

Quick action translated into a partnership between the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston and the St Patrick’s Foundation to procure the wheelchair. The recipient could hardly contain her gratitude as she spoke through tear-filled eyes.

The donation of the wheelchair has opened several doors for her, chief among them the facilitation of her attendance at her son’s wedding next month, which until now appeared unlikely. In her own words, the development “is a miracle and an answer to prayers” and qualifies as her first ever wheelchair.