The Chiang Mai Wheelchair
Clinic is located about 50 meters south of the Chiang Mai Disabled Center
and directly across the street from the entrance of old Wat Oo-mong Muang.
The Clinic was set up by retired English Engineer Geoff Thorsby and today
produces several different types of wheelchairs in additon to special wheelchair
seating, wheelchair tables, wheeled walkers, as well as ramps and hand rails.
Our chairs include 3 wheel, all terrain chairs suitable for uneven surfaces;
standard 4-wheel folding chairs, racing wheelchairs, and special cerebral
palsy "buggies". All of our chairs are made to order to the specific
size and disability needs of each recipient, and made from locally available
materials. Each chair is accompanied by our free service warranty, a training
session, and a free "Wheelchair User Manual". The overwhelming majority
of our wheelchairs are donated free of charge to needy Thai children under
the Foundation's ongoing "Wheelchair Sponsorship Program". As far
as we know, we are the only facility in Thailand building and distributing
free children's chairs. We work in cooperation with Special Children's Education
Centers in Lamphun, Chiang Mai, and Mae Hong Son Provinces.
Our Clinic is financially supported by the British Community In Thailand Overseas
Fund For The Needy, and has received assistance from many wonderful donors
and sponsors. If you would like to become a wheelchair sponsor, the cost is
for sponsorship of half a wheelchair at U.S. $145.00, and full wheelchair
sponsorship at U.S. $280.00. All of our sponsors are provided with information
about individual wheelchair recipients. We also welcome partial wheelchair
donations. Please click on our page which provides specific donation information.
Sponsors
of complete wheelchairs are notified of the recipient’s name and physical
disability and, upon request, are provided with pictures of the new owner.
We can include your company logo on a wheelchair free of charge.
Mongkol Chompookhot, age 28, is from Nong Kai, Thailand. He is our
Wheelchair Clinic manager and a full time wheelchair user. Mongkol lost the
use of his legs in a tragic motorcycle accident. He is a very talented young
man with excellent additional skills in English and computer. Mongkol is assisted
in our workshop by Khun Ahmin and by visiting volunteers. We welcome your
visit and support.
In addition to supplying
free wheelchairs and mobility aids our “follow up” Community Based
Rehabilitation program offers:
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(a) EDUCATIONAL ADVICE.
Raising awareness that disabled children can develop and benefit from educational
services. (Although legally entitled to an education, it is still the case
that about 70% of disabled children never attend school)
Informing families of the availability and location of special education
services and centers.
Advocating for the opportunity for disabled children to attend mainstream
schools.
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(b) HEALTH AWARENESS.
Assistance with dietary and feeding problems; a particular problem for children
with Cerebral Palsy.
Advice on smoking, drugs, HIV/Aids issues.
Providing access to government assessment, training and rehabilitation centers.
Raising funds for specialist medical treatment. (For example, Orthopedics
and Corrective Surgery).
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(c)PHYSICAL THERAPY.
Providing physical therapy in the home.
Teaching simple and safe exercise routines to families and carers.
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(c) ENCOURAGE SELF-HELP.
Suggest the formation of parents with disabled children self-help groups,
in order to share experiences, problems and search for solutions.
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(d) REPAIR, REPLACE AND UPGRADE EQUIPMENT.
If a child outgrows his/her wheelchair, it can be replaced.
A recipients requirements often change overtime and we are constantly developing
our products in order to meet these needs.
All repairs, replacements and upgrades ( except tyres and punctures) are
carried out free of charge.
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(e) EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING.
Our workshop trains and employs a number of disabled people.
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(f) PUBLICATION OF THAI LANGUAGE TRAINING AND DISABILITY
AWARENESS MANUALS.
We distribute these publications free of charge. It is a sad fact that many
people live for years without even a basic knowledge of their own or their
child’s disability.
THE OVERALL GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS THE EMPOWERMENT AND INTEGRATION INTO “MAINSTREAM”
SOCIETY OF NOTHERN THAILANDS DISABLED PERSONS.
Our staff providing community based rehabilitation with parents
of cerebral palsy children in Lamphun Province.
