The Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng, Ph..D., officially opened a wheelchair assembling workshop for Indonesian disabled children at the UGM Registration Hall, at Kaliurang Street in Sleman regency, Tuesday evening (8/12). The workshop is a cooperation between UGM Foundation, UCP Wheels for Humanity Indonesia and USAID.
The new workshop is the only one in Indonesia. In the next three years they will produce as many as 5,600 wheelchairs especially for disabled children from underprivileged families for free. “The wheelchairs are given out for free for disabled children from underprivileged families,†said Project Manager of UCP Indonesia Risnawati Utami to the journalists alongside the event. Risna said that since May, there have been hundreds of requests for wheelchairs from across Indonesia from Sabang to Merauke. Every month, the workshop can assemble some 130 wheelchairs. “A total of 130 wheelchairs per month is completed by 5 disabled persons. The anatomy of a disabled child is previously examined to adjust,†said Risna. Â
The wheelchairs for children are divided into three groups, for 3-6 years old, 7-10 years old and 11-14 years old. The procedure to order is by filling out forms that will be assessed by social workers to know whether the wheelchair is required or not. Based on the research by Risna, of 252 disabled children in five regencies in Yogyakarta province, the highest number is in Kulon Progo and Gunung Kidul. "Almost 60% in those regencies do not have wheelchairs,†she said. She acknowledged that the wheelchairs would support the chidren development that needs to be evaluated and controlled.
Dedi Wahyu Himawan (6) from Ngestiharjo in Bantul is one of the children that received the wheelchair. The son of Nrimo Mulyono and Eli Sugianti suffers from spinal column growth problem, making him unable to stand up and sit down. “It is difficult for him to lean as his backbone is weak, his right leg is bent. The doctor said the muscles are not strong,†said the mother. Nrimo said that after a week on the wheelchair, changes were seen in his son and it has been easier for Dedi to do things.
The Rector welcomed the workshop at UGM compound. He hoped that the hard work and cooperation of several institutions could benefit the wider community. “This will move on and give benefits. UGM is very happy, this is part of UGM vision and values for civilisation, usefulness and happiness,†said the Rector in in his speech.
The Director of the UCP Indonesia, Michael Allen, said that the programme would particularly give services to Indonesian children with disabilities. “This programme is held with the support from the US Government and the WHO to provide wheelchairs for developing countries,†he said.