Wheelchairs for Haiti: “a gift like no other”

While some Americans are donating to the cause in Haiti, others are tired of the news coverage and choose to turn off the television. For some, the earthquake that struck Haiti three weeks ago has turned into a personal crusade. For Rowan University sociology professor Jay Chaskes, it’s all too personal.

“I understand how the lives of these people have been altered,” Chaskes said.

Six years ago, Chaskes suffered a staff infection, that he thought was the common flu virus. The infection spread to different parts of his body, ultimately causing him to lose his ability to walk. Chaskes, 41, uses a motorized wheelchair to get across campus, but manages to walk in his office using plastic leg braces.

Due to the conditions in Haiti, much of the country is in ruins and unstable, making it difficult for those who have lost limbs to walk or even leave their makeshift hospital beds.

Chaskes was listening to National Public Radio (NPR) about a week after the quake, when a broadcast caught his attention. He was overwhelmed with emotion to find out that some victims had not been seen for five days.

It is for this reason that Chaskes partnered with Whirlwind Wheelchair International, a non-profit organization program run out of San Francisco, Ca., to create the “Wheelchairs for Haiti” project.

The professor hopes to raise enough donations to acquire 250 specially-designed wheelchairs for the amputees suffering in Haiti.

The light-weight wheelchairs, called “Roughriders” were designed by paraplegic engineer Ralf Hotchkiss, and cost just over $200 each. They are made to handle rough terrain, such as the current conditions found in Haiti. Chaskes said the cost was a bargain, and that his motorized chair cost him about $4,000.

“My fondest wish is to go to Haiti, but I don’t have the right chair,” Chaskes said.

A friend of the university whose name cannot be disclosed has offered to pay the shipping costs of the steel container that can hold exactly 250 wheelchairs.

Chaskes has acquired the support of the SGA in his efforts to help Haiti.

“The SGA fully recognizes the importance and passion behind Dr. Chaskes noble relief effort ‘Wheelchairs for Haiti,’” said SGA’s Chief Financial Officer Jon J. Vogel. “In light of this, and in the spirit of ‘Rowan Relief’ trying to unify all campus relief efforts, we have decided to give 15% of the money we fundraise under the Rowan Relief umbrella to the ‘Wheel Chairs for Haiti’ initiative.”

Chaskes’ determination and empathy for the well being of the victims of the Haiti earthquake will not stop at donations. He hopes to have a facility built in Haiti by Whirlwind Wheelchair International, to continuously aid the desperate needs of the debilitated country.

NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) estimated that the facility can hold anywhere from 10-20,000 wheelchairs.

“I can’t emphasize enough how much of an incredible gift this is. It’s a gift like no other,” Chaskes said.

Checks can be made out to the Rowan University Foundation and sent to 201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, N.J. 08028. The subject line should read “Wheelchairs for Haiti.”