Free Wheelchair Mission is an international, faith-based nonprofit organization dedciated to providing wheelchairs for the impoverished disabled in developing nations. Working in creative partnership with a network of like-minded, humanitarian groups, FWM has sent over 430,000 wheelchairs to over 70 countries around the world, delivering not only the gift of mobility, but one of dignity, independence and hope. Designed to be rugged, durable and inexpensive, the FWM wheelchair costs only $59.20 to manufacture, deliver and distribute - and is provided to the recipient entirely for free. Our mission is to provide the transforming gift of mobility to the physically disabled poor in developing countires, as motivated by Jesus Christ. Our goal is to provide 20 million wheelchairs.
FWM recognizes the link between disability and poverty is a powerful one - specially designed for use in rugged terrain, the FWM wheelchair combines the durability of a resin lawn chair and the strength of a custom steel frame, all tucked into a sturdy pair of mountain bike tires. In the United States, the majority of disabled citizens will find access to a wheelchair and a life of independence. Public and private healthcare, government organizations, charitable groups and a variety of social services provide a safety net that grants coverage for many Americans. However, in developing nations where poverty and economic isolation are the norm, the physically disabled must crawl on the ground or wait to be carried by loved ones to reach their most basic needs. For tens of millions of the impoverished disabled, a wheelchair is a dream far beyond their wildest imagination.
FWM has grown since its beginnings in 2001 to a staff dedicated to raising funds and awareness for free wheelchairs. In 2009 FWM increased revenue 22% and expenses decreased 4%. FWM returned to Rwanda after a four year hiatus and also distributed wheelchairs for the first time to the Galapagos Islands. With an eye toward wheelchair provision, FWM successfully landed its first wheelchair containers in Egypt, Tibet and Djibouti. An academic study conducted in 2009 reviewed FWM's program; findings published in the December 2008 issue of Medical Science Monitor found FWM to have positive results. Changes were made to the wheelchairs including a footplate added to the footrest to improve stability, comfort and safety - and improved user manuals and training videos in 13 different languages.
President and Founder, Don Schoendorfer, holds a Ph.D. in biomechanical engineering from MIT, and has over 50 patents to his name. He began to apply his education and expertise to the design of a durable and inexpensive wheelchair with his ultimate goal to build a chair that could be sponsored by caring individuals at a cost they could afford. Dr. Michael Bayer, an orthopedic surgeon, followed every step of the design to ensure safety and comfort for the recipients. In 2001, on a medical mission trip to India with his church, Don and Dr. Mike Bayer gave away four prototype wheelchairs - the response from the village was overwhelming. As of October 2009, FWM has distributed over 430,000 wheelchairs - changing the lives of entire communities in developing countries throughout the world.
How This Organization is Funded