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Wheelcharity: How Wheelchairs Transform Lives

Wheelcharity is truly the gift of champions for champions. That’s because these generous donors understand the power of wheelchair ownership. It’s almost impossible for most of us to fathom how wheelchairs transform lives.

Wheelchair champions

“On 29 July 1948, the day of the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Dr. Guttmann organised the first competition for wheelchair athletes….”  This was the start of what we now know as the Paralympic Games.

“Paralympic” originates from 2 Greek words:  para which means beside and the word Olympic,  which refers to the ancient city of Olympia, home of the first games. [Oh, by the way, don’t confuse these games with the Special Olympics, which are for athletes with cognitive disabilities.]

Paralympics are for competitors with physical and visual disabilities and they are “parallel to or beside” the Olympic Games. And happily they are increasing in stature and popularity.According to Paralympic.org, the 1948  games involved 16 injured servicemen and women who took part in  the archery competition. In 2021,  more than 4,000 athletes vied for the gold. And those in wheelchairs competed in Rugby, Basketball, Curling, Archery, Shooting,Tennis and Table tennis, Fencing, Track and Field, Boccia!

How wheelchairs transform lives: unlimited goals!

Let’s take a look at that list again: Rugby, Basketball, Curling, Archery, Shooting,Tennis and Table tennis, Fencing, Track and Field, Boccia. Each sport requires a different set of skills, and techniques—both mental and physical. And each develops different parts of the body, enhancing hand-eye coordination, speed, agility, and muscle-memory. And yet, because of their wheelchairs these Paralympic athletes can pursue the highest level of proficiency and master everything required to become champions. No limits to their dreams. And thanks to their wheelchairs, no physical boundaries.

No wheelchair. No freedom!

Two million—that’s the estimated number of new wheelchair users every year.  And with the aging Baby Boomer population, that number will probably swell in the coming years. Sadly many of the disabled cannot afford one, which means they can’t go or see or do the things they want or need to do. Lack of mobility means a lack of personal freedom.

“Typical costs: A standard, manual wheelchair costs an average of $500, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation… A chair meant for everyday use costs between $1,000 and $2,000 depending upon the features of the chair, which can include an individualized seat, various types of wheels and a lightweight frame,” according to health.costhelper.com. Of course, $500 isn’t really a lot of money, if you’ve got it. For those who can’t afford it, that’s a small fortune. 

How Wheelcharity transforms lives

Low income families, the unemployed, underemployed, uninsured, and veterans on fixed incomes—these are the members of your community who need a wheelchair but simply don’t have the money. 

A Wheelcharity Team Building workshop could be a win win for you and your disabled neighbors. Corporate social responsibility always wins a lot of  “cool points” in the community as well as your company. That is to say, your colleagues will bask in  the glow of their positive corporate image, because kindness is both professionally and personally gratifying.

During the workshop your staff will divvy up into teams and “compete” with each other to assemble their wheelchair faster and more efficiently than the others. The assembly process itself requires clear communication and quick collaboration—attributes that build strong teams. And afterwards, each team wins the “race” because their wheelchair will be donated to a member of your community who needs it. Hospitals, social service agencies, and disabled veterans organizations are always in need of such gifts and will gratefully  deliver yours to one of their constituents.

And the afterglow of success will linger among your staff as each envisions a newly mobile child whizzing up their street. Or perhaps they’ll picture  a veteran who can go to the park now or even to the store. And, of course, a prospective Paralympian may begin their journey as a world class athlete—thanks to you.

Charitable Giving and the Power of Hugs

Charitable giving and the power of hugs? This may seem like a strange combination since social distancing is now the norm. So let’s break it down.

First: the power of hugs

Believe it or not, human touch really does have healing properties! In fact, the overall  physical benefits of hugs are pretty impressive. You see,  your body is one big cocktail of hormones and other chemicals, and hugs have a huge impact on their levels.

I mean, everyone knows that hugs make you feel good. But  do you know why? It’s because hugs instantly boost your oxytocin levels!  This is a hormone known as the “love drug” because it can make you feel good all over.  According to the Concorde Career Colleges, Inc., one oxytocin-triggering embrace can heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger. 

And then there’s serotonin. A tender caress can relax your muscles, ease tension, and in the process mellow your mood by increasing your serotonin levels. Hugs can also stimulate your thymus gland and balance that nervous system of yours. Just imagine: one good squeeze can overhaul your whole immune system!

And consider this: one loving hug is also the equivalent of an emotional and psychological workout. Yup! It can boost your self-esteem, facilitate self-love and self-care, and inspire trust in others.

Hugs in the form of charitable giving

Because of the pandemic, air hugs are as close as we can safely get, but, of course, that’s not enough! Fortunately there’s a remedy for those of us who long to reach out, and make emotional contact with another earthling.  Charitable giving can be another kind of embrace.

For instance, there’s nothing more huggable than a pet. Take “National Dog Day” in August.  Every social media platform was cluttered with photos of dearly loved, totally spoiled, perfectly adorable pooches [and  even a few cats]. And with good reason.

Psychologist Harold Herzog, a pet-loving professor at Western Carolina University. has studied the human-animal connection for years.  He told CNN.COM this: “… ‘Higher survival rates, fewer heart attacks, less loneliness, better blood pressure, better psychological well-being, lower rates of depression and stress levels, fewer doctor visits, increased self esteem, better sleep and more physical activity,” are just some of the recorded benefits of pet ownership….’”

Of course, dog and cat lovers still suffer from depression and loneliness like the rest of us, but at least they don’t have to do it alone! Unfortunately, what stands between some prospective pet owners and their new fur-babies is money. Because, no matter who or what the “baby” is, parenting can be expensive.

Charitable giving and the power of pets

Charitable team building workshops are a win-win for you, your staff, and members of your community.  For instance, your team could pitch in and donate a pet starter kit.  Covering that expense could make it easier for a reluctant pet parent to make that big commitment. 

Pet insurance is an actual thing now. And so are immunizations and other veterinary services. There’s the food and water dishes—and the food. Beds, blankets, pillows, and leashes. 

Even the fun stuff can add up: treats, chew toys, squeaky toys, and more treats. Of course, some of our fur-babies prefer to play with the box, instead of the fancy gift inside—but that’s what the joy of pet parenting is all about.

Your help in  bridging some of these financial hurdles will bring a pet one step closer to a lifetime of cuddles in their forever home. And you and every member of your team will feel the love, too—forever.

Emotional rescue through charitable giving 

Sometimes, a hug can save a life. Police officers, EMS, and other first responders encounter traumatized children at auto accidents, fires, and other tragedies every day. Through your charitable giving donation, you can provide some of these kids with a healing hug from a different kind of pet.

They’re called Rescue Buddies—bears, birds, mooses, fish, and other stuffed animals waiting to deliver a few healing snuggles to a frightened child. Your team can assemble these adorable toys during a Rescue Buddies charitable workshop. 

Then you’ll donate them to first responders in your community who’ll keep them on hand to give to children who need help recovering from the calamity they’ve just endured. And with every squeeze of their new toy, each child will grow stronger psychologically and emotionally.

Whether the hugs are for pets or people, each one is powerful. Your simple acts of charitable giving will strengthen the relationships among your team members and enrich your corporate culture. And it’ll turn you into a hometown hero, boosting your corporate social responsibility ratings and your overall morale.