Here is Blakely (support) having a chat with Renu (one of our regular translators and help, with the blue hair) having a relaxing moment near the end of the day. This was another great day with lots of stories of how our Lord is working...involving so many lives. God is truly great and marvelous.

Tomorrow….a day of distribution at RICD….pediatrics cases only…a 1st.

This little lady is Daenj (pronounced Dang). She was born normal then developed hydrocephalic condition. The doctors gave her parents a 50/50 chance of survival to operate and stop the swelling. Her parents chose to not operate. When she became of school age, all she wanted to do was go to school. Her parents wanted her to go to school but her grandmother didn’t, fearing she would tip over and tumble with her big head. So Grandma attended school with her for 4 month until she was satisfied that Daenj could do well. Daenj speaks Thai, English and French…prefers speaking and reading French. She worked as a literature translator and now lives at the McKean Center.

This guy has cerebral palsy. He was fitted last year with a chair that I helped prepare with neck, trunk and leg support. Through hard work, therapy, and great persistence he now only needs a standard chair. He still just as happy and fun as we found him last year.

These are Hansen’s disease (as leprosy is now appropriately called) patients. The man in blue didn’t mind talking to Annie about it and showed his hands and how he uses them in daily life. The man in gold with no legs did not like to talk about it. This wasn’t his 1st wheelchair but his 1st fitted wheelchair.

Awmae read Joni’s book while waiting for her chair; Thai bible and other goodies at her side.

This is 19 year old Awmae. She was shot and paralyzed waist down. She lived with her father in a small village for 3 years afterwards, never leaving the house. She was sponsored about 6 weeks ago and sent here to the McKean Center for help. She has found new friends and blossomed here at the center. She’s learning how to become self sufficient, and her 1st wheelchair will help greatly. In the end picture with Awmae is Theresa Morita (therapist), Annie Garner (support), Vincent (Pioneer, perennial help), Greg Bierre (Mechanic).

Monday 29th
A distribution at the McKean Center. It used to be a leper colony run by Presbyterians. Some still live there but it is now a disability center supported still by U.S Presbies. Unlike the southern (previous) distributions, most if not all recipients were Christian.

Sunday 28th

We attended church services at the Chiang Mai 1st Church…another home away from home…greeting our Thai friends. After services we held a chair repair session for some of the church members. Some were beyond repair and were given new chairs.

Saturday 27th
We did the unpacking, preliminary repair and organizing of the wheelchairs just off the over-seas shipping container at RICD. These included the new Regency pediatric chairs (in the forground) manufactured at Taft prison in California for Joni and Friends. They are equipped with lots of adjustments and are very cool.

After the distribution, we packed up and said goodbye to our wonderful hosts and interpreters there in Uttaraditt. Then bussed back to Chiang Mai and our home (it seems now after so many trips) at Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel.

This guy was our 2nd recipient. He was paralyzed from waist down, and so had lots of upper body strength. He wanted a regular wheelchair. Luc, our in-country leader who is in a sports wheelchair had to be called in to help therapist Jackie convince him the sports wheelchair she picked for him was appropriate. He had to wait almost the whole day for repairs and revision to chair. I am following close behind him to keep him from falling backwards while he got used to moving it. Luc and John in the blue shirt had to instruct him on how to fall properly and get back in the chair. And also to convince him falling backwards is expected and not to be afraid. Being a part of that was new and impressive.
1, 2, 3 This is layout of the distribution, before recipients and dignitaries for the ceremony. There is always a ceremony at each distribution.

He was another of Annie’s recipients who had CP. This was his 1st wheelchair and once he relaxed in it his face lit up and he was having a ball facing a whole new world.4481 This was the 1st patient of the day for my team. He was a stroke victim. After we were all done and took this picture he smiled and gave us a thumbs up. His wife loved to smile and laugh, except when we took her picture.

Jasmine is calming this boy while he awaits his chair.

Here is one of Annie’s recipients with rheumatoid arthritis. Her daughter cared for her. She remained very stoic through pain and all.

Friday 26th distribution at Uttaraditt.

After the dam visit we went to see the oldest and biggest teak tree in the world. Yes, it’s alive.

Here we were feeding the fish just after we ate some of their cousins for lunch.

We went to the largest earthen hydroelectric dam in Thailand, the Sirikit Dam of the Nan River. Beautiful countryside even though it is the dry season.

Thursday 25th sightseeing day.

Wednesday 24th Flew to Chiang Mai in the North then bussed south to Uttaraditt.

After crossing the bay after dusk, in the dark, we got back home around 10:15. Tired but satisfied. The remaining team at the facility fit 42 wheelchairs with 4 fitting teams. Whew. Everybody rocked.

Mr. Cool was a little shy about Annie taking his picture but Annie was persistent.

2nd stop, Koh Yao where we fit 10 patients in about 2 ½ hours. The recipients (in a Muslim community) had been waiting since morning until we arrived at about 3:15. Still, lots of smiles and happiness though we worked feverishly.

Here is a 15 year old boy with cerebral palsey, has parents still together and caring well for him. And eager learn more care; such as a rolled cloth to enclose in his hand to keep his fingernails from cutting into his hand. The boy in his wheelchair will now be the greeter for the family store.

Meghan caring for a lovely Muslim lady happy to be mobile again after a broken hip 8 months ago.

1st stop, Koh Yai Island where we fit 4 patients.

Tuesday, 23rd. This was another day of distribution at the same regional health facility as yesterday. But one fitting team split from the group to distribute on 2 islands. Annie (support), myself (mechanic) and Meghan Lyndsay (therapist) were accompanied by Country Leaders, Judy and Gordon Soares with Joey and others from RICD team. Gordon and Joey served as additional mechanics.

We love the happy faces of the Thai recipients and family members. We fit about 43 chairs.

This is Joey along with me lowering the wheels on a chair. His father is one of the Pioneers missionary that we have partnered with from the very beginning 2005. Thailand is his home.

These are sisters, Muslim. The recipient (without the hat) was born with underdeveloped and weak legs. She lives in the house with her family, five siblings. As her siblings marry they add onto the house. She takes care of the household duties by crawling around. Her sister (with the hat) sobbed for joy when she was placed in the wheelchair because now her sister won’t be left behind and is now mobile, on her own.

This is Mat, the pastor’s son. He’s a translator for us. He is studying English in Bangkok University.

Monday, 22nd
1st day of distribution in Phang Nga at a regional health care facility.

Dinner was with some dignitary Thai physicians along with Dr. Samai, director of the disabilities ministry in Thailand. Stay away from the chicken curry.…it’s a really hot dish. Tomorrow....distribution....it's what we do.

This is the very famous stack at James Bond Island where “Man with the Golden Gun” (I think that was the one) was filmed.

One island with a pass through.

This sign made me genuinely curious. All the dwellings are on stilts and piers. Since all the islands were little more than sheer cliffs all around, how does one actually get to higher ground?4321 One island with a pass through.

These glyphs are over 3000 years old.

The rock is worn at the waterline giving many the floating look.