Last week little Geetha came back to my NGO to be given her supportive seat. In true Sri Lankan style, her parents had transported their severely disabled daughter for the forty minute journey wedged in between them on their moped. Presumably the only vehicle they had, and given the poor accessibility on Sri Lankan buses (no nice ramps or wheelchair sized seats), probably the best way to transport her!
After finishing off the seat, and showing Geetha’s mother how to maintain the chair, Geetha finally was put into her new seat. For Geetha, her parents, and in fact for everyone watching (this is Sri Lanka, so there was a little crowd of onlookers gathered), it was an amazing moment. This tiny eight year old was able to look up independently at the world around her for the first time in her life. I think the pictures speak for themselves really.
Building the tailor made seat
Proud staff
The happy customer
When she was leaving, Geetha’s mother came to talk to me. In my limited Sinhala and with the help of a translator for the hard bits, she said “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don’t really know what else to say except for thank you. You and the people from your country have brought an amazing thing to my family, and I can only say thank you”. Again, I don’t think that needs much commentary.
