Wheelchair presented

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32779, 2 December 1971, Page 6

Wheelchair presented

A wheelchair which will be used at the Christchurch Hospital’s spinal unit was presented to the Christchurch Paraplegic Society by the Canterbury Women’s Division of Federated Farmers yesterday morning.

Funds for the chair were raised by special efforts by branches within the provincial area. The fund was oversubscribed by $lOO. The president, Mrs W. Oakley, presented Mr C. J. I. Wadley, president of the society, with a . cheque for this amount When he received the chair on behalf of the society. “You have given someone an opportunity of finding another pair of legs,” Mr Wadley told W.D.F.F. members in thanking them for their gift. “There is just no greater appreciation than that.” Although he could not specify what purpose the money would be put to, members could be sure it would be well spent,” he said. “We are most grateful, and you will not regret one cent of it”

Mrs V. M. French, physiotherapist at the spinal unit, expressed the unit’s gratitude for the chair. “There is a very great need for this chair. Usually it is four to six weeks after an accident before we know whether a patient is paralysed. Then it can be at least four weeks, often much longer, before he can get a wheelchair. “Until he gets the wheelchair he can’t get out Of bed, and the sooner we can get him out of bed and learning to live from a wheelchair .the sooner he can be back in the community,” she explained. “Now our boys who are waiting for their own chair

will be able to use this one. It will certainly fill a gap.” The chair was an ”A-1 performer,” very mobile and manoeuvrable.

“This chair will help get these boys out of hospital as quickly as possible,” she said. In presenting the wheelchair Mrs Oakley said there seemed to be far too many cases of unnecessary suffering caused by sheer thoughtlessness.

Apart from the many motor accidents, there were many other causes of valuable lives being cut off at an early age.

“We know of cases of boys diving into water holes which the year before might have been quite safe. This is something we should take back to : our women’s organisations," she said. Mrs Oakley also presented Mr Wadley with a hand- , worked knee rug from the '■ Canterbury members. She , said she hoped it would re- , main with the chair, or be put into use at the unit.

The photograph shows Mrs Oakley (right) presenting the wheelchair and knee rug to Mr Wadley (left). _