Free Wheelchair Friday - I Can Hold My Son

I am reposting this with permission.

I read this Free Wheelchair Mission email update and my heart broke.  I thought back to being told I had to be on bed rest while pregnant with Scrunch.  I was told that I could not go up the stairs more than once a day so I could not do bedtime with Buggy.  I was allowed to hold him but not lift him.  He couldn't yet climb on the couch himself.  I had to comfort him by holding him tight as he stood next to me or wait for a friend to be here to help and lift him onto my lap.  I cried. A lot.

I can only imagine how this man felt when he realized he couldn't hold his child or watch him play.  Just think of how much he was missing of his son's daily life. Wow.

And just $59.20 

Changed

His

Life

Read his story.  Watch the video explaining the mission.  Pray and consider giving. Change a life.  Right now, every dollar donated gets matched - dollar for dollar.  $59.20 will change TWO lives. Lift someone off the ground. Give hope. Give dignity.

This story comes from our friends Steven and Grace of FEDES. We have sent over 31,000 wheelchairs to their organization in Santiago , Chile :

My name is Francisco Javier. I’m 23 years old. I live with my parents. Up until 3 years ago my life was very happy. I was healthy and enjoyed my parents, brothers and my girlfriend, who bore my son who is 3 years old now. My son is my life. Then this sickness arrived.
I’ve been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and a brain tumorwhich have left me disabled. I stopped being able to go out and play football with my son, or even do anything but try to watch him from my window. He comes to my room to visit me sometimes. I hope I get to see him a little bit bigger, even if I can’t enjoy him like I want to.
My parents have been my angels. They’re always trying to cheer me up, though I see sorrow on my mother’s face when she’s not looking. It’s hard for them to see me like this. I’ve been struggling very hard with depression, with wanting to just give up and die. Still, I thank God for parents and brothers that take such good care of me and a son that brightens up my life.
Thank you so much for the wheelchair. Now when my son comes to my room, I can hold him on my lap and talk, and they can take me out to the park to play and spend time with him. One of the community organizers said that she would start taking me to activities and other outings now that I have a way to be transported, so hopefully these things will help me stay encouraged and fighting. Thank you so much. This is a gift of hope, and I can’t express what it means to me.