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.