Soldiers Deliver Donated Wheelchairs to Mahmudiyah Children (Now That'a a Valentine Gift)

Multi-National Force - Iraq ^ | Capt. Sara Woods, USA

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Haneen, a 12-year-old disabled Iraqi girl, shows her happiness with her new wheelchair, Feb. 7, 2009. Haneen was one of three Iraqi children in Mahmudiyah to receive wheelchairs donated by Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids, and delivered by Multi-National Division—Baghdad Soldiers. Photo by Capt. Sara Woods, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.

BAGHDAD — Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers of the “Iron Brigade” teamed up with an American charity to change the lives of three disabled Iraqi children from the Mahmudiyah Qada, Feb. 7.

Civil Affairs Team 31 of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, partnered with Brad Blauser, founder of Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids, to have the pediatric wheelchairs delivered to the children.

Blauser started the organization in 2005 after a trip to Mosul, Iraq. He offered to help the battalion surgeon in obtaining wheelchairs for the children. The wheelchair, designed by a company in Bozeman, Mont. specifically for rough terrain, started with a donated design from college engineering students. Each chair costs approximately $350 and is funded entirely through donations. The U.S. Government ships the wheelchairs to Blauser overseas for free.

“Since then [2005] we’ve given out over 650 wheelchairs all over Iraq, mostly pediatric wheelchairs from Reach Out and Care Wheels,” said Blauser. “If we can secure funding, we’re hoping to have the National Metallic Industry and Bicycle Factory in Mahmudiyah manufacture wheelchairs there to help employ local Iraqis in making these for their own people.”

The wheelchairs are sponsored by individuals who donate to the Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids organization through their website, www.wheelchairsforiraqikids.com. Blauser said any size donation is welcomed and will help to place disabled children into wheelchairs.

Families of the three children, aged 13-months, 10-years and 12-years old, came to the Civil-Military Operations Center requesting help and the Soldiers of CA Team 31 set up a date where the families and children could come to a secure, quiet location to receive the wheelchairs.

“Our mission is to help women and families and these wheelchairs offer the chance for a better quality of life for the disabled children in the Qada,” said Mariam Youmara, an interpreter with Provincial Reconstruction Team 4 and a Women’s Initiative advocate.

Haneen, a 12-year old, whose tiny body was severely stiffened and twisted from a childhood illness, had a smile that lit the room. After the Soldiers settled her in the chair, and upon her first movement, her arms straightened out like wings, as if she was flying.

“It [distributing wheelchairs] brings such a sense of peace and calming,” said Spc. Keisha Barajas, of Portage, Ind., a civil affairs team specialist. “This is what this job is all about; it’s what makes it all worthwhile.”

“We [civil affairs] focus a lot on the bigger picture. It’s great to have a chance to help individuals too, especially the kids,” said Spc. David Helfman, a civil affairs specialist from Colomo, Mich.

As she prepared to leave, the mother of Haneen turned to the CA troops with tears in her eyes; saying the word that sums up the goal of every Soldier.

“Shukran—Thank you.”

(By Capt. Sara Woods, 2nd Brigade Combat Team)

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Good Fit -- Spc. David Helfman (left) and Spc. Keisha Barajas, both with Civil Affairs Team 31 of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, fit Ahmad into his pediatric wheelchair on Feb.7. Ahmad was one of three Iraqi children in Mahmudiyah to receive wheelchairs donated by Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids. The Soldiers partnered with Brad Blauser, the founder of Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids, to have the pediatric wheelchairs delivered to the children. Photo by Capt. Sara Woods.