Persons with disabilities in Grenada are now better equipped to live a normal life as 280 wheelchairs were donated to the disable community.

The donation was made by the U.S-based Wheelchair Foundation, a non-profit organisation during a ceremony held last Thursday at the Grenada Trade Center in the south of the island.

President of the Grenada Relief, Recovery and Reconstruction Inc. (GR3), Dr. Theresa Mc Cann disclosed that this is a project they have been working on for over a year with assistance from the South St. George’s Welfare Association.

She pointed out that the Wheelchair Foundation was started in 2000 and one of its aims is to distribute one million wheelchairs worldwide in a five year period to every child, teenage, and adult who need one and cannot afford it. Dr. Mc Cann said the foundation also wants to create awareness of the needs of disabled persons.

She noted that such persons could receive a wheelchair depending on their needs for a wheel chair and their inability to purchase it. Minister of Health, Senator Ann-David Antione disclosed that the wheelchairs cost $700,000.00, and will not only be used for persons with permanent disabilities but also persons who are temporarily disabled through accidents and other causes.

She urged the recipients to take care of the chairs so that others may be able to benefit from them. The female government minister was confident that the availability of the wheelchairs will help to bring people with disabilities to mainstream life in the country.