“My heart burst with joy,” said Theresa when she received her wheelchair from Operation Blessing’s medical clinic in the Philippines.

SARANGANI, Philippines – Theresa didn’t think she had any reason to attend the Operation Blessing medical clinic that had been set up in her town—she wasn’t even sick.

But then her sister returned from the clinic with some unexpected news.

 “One of OBI’s workers had asked [my sister] if she had a family member who had difficulty walking,” Theresa explained. "It was a sign.”

Give a wheelchair to someone disabled

Theresa had been born without the lower half of her legs, making it very hard to get around. Despite her disability, Theresa had never asked for a wheelchair.

“It never occurred to me to want one,” she said, “because I knew it would be quite expensive and my family wouldn’t be able to afford it.”

More than 10,000 people received free care during OBI’s week-long medical clinics held throughout the Philippines.

At her sister’s prompting, though, Theresa went to the medical clinic. “I wasn’t expecting anything that day,” she explained.

But when she arrived, the OBI medical team offered her a free wheelchair. Overcome with joy, Theresa lowered herself into the wheelchair.

“Once seated, my heart burst with joy,” she said.

Because of this unexpected gift, Theresa is able to move about much more freely and independently than before.

And Theresa had a word of encouragement for others in her situation. “Don’t lose hope,” she said, “because help is sure to come.”

Operation Blessing medical teams spent six days in various parts of Sarangani, treating more than 10,000 people. Services included medical check-ups, dental care, minor surgery, vaccinations, and wheelchair distributions.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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