Serenade (in green shirt) and Elahe (standing middle) with staff and wheelchair recipients. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
CHRONICALLY ill individuals or those with permanent disability can obtain free wheelchairs from Tasputra Perkim.
The non-profit organisation based in Taman U Thant, Kuala Lumpur, has been donating wheelchairs to patients from low-income families for the past 18 years.
According to its chairman Elahe Norman, the organisation works with international charity Latter-Day Saints (LDS).
“We liaise with local hospitals and welfare organisations to identify suitable recipients.
“A wheelchair is costly, ranging between RM350 and RM500, and many families cannot afford one.”
Tasputra has held a two-day workshop to train its staff on how to assemble wheelchairs.
The course was attended by caregivers, therapists and volunteers, with guidance provided by LDS representatives.
Elahe said it was important for the wheelchairs to be custom-assembled according to the recipients’ needs to ensure their comfort.
Workshop participants including caregivers, therapists and volunteers learning how to assemble wheelchairs.
The majority of the recipients,s he said, were stroke and polio patients, or individuals with cerebral palsy.
“Other recipients include amputees and senior citizens,” she said.
Tasputra also provides special wheelchairs for children.
Its consultant physiotherapist Serenade Sarang said the recipients’ next-of-kin were encouraged to return the wheelchairs once they were no longer needed.
“These wheelchairs will be refurbished before they are given out to the next patient.”
Tasputra is a daycare centre for children with special needs and has been operating for more than 30 years.
It currently cares for 20 children and teenagers aged below 20. Some of them have autism and cerebral palsy.
Elahe said the centre also regularly held therapy sessions for the children with the aim of helping them cope at school.
She said the organisation was seeking volunteers.
For details on obtaining wheelchairs or volunteering, call 03-4251 6100 or 011-2102 5515.
