As parts of activities to kick start the commemoration of the World Polio Day, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt East has donated some Arm Wheel Chairs to ten Polio survivors in Rivers State.
President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt East Prince Nelson-John during the handover of the Arm Wheel Chairs to the Polio Survivor at the Ignatius Ajuru University said Rotary has been working to eradicate Polio for more than thirty-Five years and its getting closer to getting rid of it, through its advocacy projects.
Rotarian Nelson John said the donation of the mobility wheel chair to the Polio survivors will discourage them from thinking that they are disabled, handicapped and encourage them to fit into the society and achieve their dreams.
“The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt East marked the World Polio Day Eradication by bringing to light the Polio Victor. We call them Victors because they survived the ravaging Polio during their time, most of them couldn’t walk again. To enable them get to their toes and fit in the society, we donated ten arm wheel chairs to them, to add smile and make live more meaning to them again. Rotary as a humanitarian organization that gives meaningful life to the down trodden that’s why we keyed into this area of focus under Disease prevention and treatment,” he said.
On her part, the Assistant Governor, Zone two, of the Rotary International District 9141, Nkiru Enyia said the expressions of joy by the survivors after receiving the gifts, is what Rotary intend to achieve.
Enyia said the survivors can achieve their lives’ goal and move comfortably with the arm wheel chairs without being dragged or carried. “The joy these beneficiaries expressed is like that of a child who sees he mother back from the market with lots of goodies. With this mobility device given to them free of charge, is the type that can be operated independently. We expect them to use it to move around freely, achieve their dreams and be meaningful to themselves and their families. We expect them to remove the mentality of being less privileged or physically challenged and live a normal life with this mobility. Thanks to the Rotary club of Port Harcourt East and to the Rotary International District 9141 for the opportunity to serve to change lives”, she said.
Our correspondent reports that the event was attended by veteran Rotary ambassador, Pearl Ijeoma Okoro, Assistant Governor zone two Blessing Timothy and other members of the club who took turns to celebrate the Polio survivors.
Our correspondent Precious Ovie also reports that the Polio Survivors cuts across the 23 local government areas in Rivers State and Anambra State.
It is pertinent to know that Rotary members have contributed more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours to protect nearly 3 billion children in 122 countries from this paralyzing disease. Rotary’s advocacy efforts have played a role in decisions by governments to contribute more than $10 billion to the effort.
