In a joint effort with Free Wheelchair Mission, FEDES takes on the challenge of providing a wheelchair to as many people as possible in Chile.

Free Wheelchair Mission is an organization founded by Donald Schoendorfer Ph. D., an American engineer. As a result of a personal “rebirth” experience, Don Schoendorfer decided to dedicate the rest of his life to manufacture and donate simple wheelchairs designed by himself. In order to tackle such a goal he created Free Wheelchair Mission.

Free Wheelchair Mission has delivered more than 220,000 wheelchair in the 69 countries where it conducts operations. In Chile, with the participation of FEDES Foundation and the cooperation of various Town Halls, Rotary Clubs, Lions’ Clubs, community organizations, Deputies, Senators, the Office of Social Issues under the Presidency of the Republic and volunteers, so far 13,750 wheelchairs have been donated.

Because there is no government program in Chile aimed at providing wheelchair needs for senior citizens (which are not deemed to be physically disabled of such a disability is the result of old age), the FEDES program has benefited mostly this segment of the population. It is estimated that almost 10,000 of all the wheelchairs delivered were given to senior citizens who can no longer get around without this kind of mechanical device.