Recently DCHA was in Kosovo providing training for the prevention and treatment of pressure sores. We were there at the request of HandiKos, a non-profit organization in Kosovo, that provides support to paralyzed people. During our visit we were asked about the possibility of building quality wheelchairs in Kosovo. We told them that we knew of someone who might be able to help us with this request.
We contacted Mr. Wayne Hanson of ROC Wheels in Belgrade, Montana, who manufactures quality wheelchairs for severely disabled children ranging in age from infant to fourteen years old. We explained to him that we had a request from HandiKos in Kosovo for wheelchairs, and that they wanted to manufacture wheelchairs as well. We decided to bring representatives from Kosovo to ROC Wheels to see the operation in Montana and discuss what would be the necessary steps to make this project a reality.
Representatives from Kosovo: Blerim, Fjolla and Ilir in Belgrade, Montana
Wayne Hanson (C) demonstrates how to adjust the wheelchair as Ilir (L) and Fjolla (R) observe.
Fjolla, Ilir and Blerim watch as the ROC technician assembles the chair.
If all goes well, we should be in Kosovo sometime in the fall of 2015 to bring a container of wheelchairs for HandiKos and to set up the shop area where they will build wheelchairs.