Kidney foundation patients' gift of independence

By Bethel Peato Ale 21 October 2021, 8:18PM

Dialysis patients being treated at the National Kidney Foundation of Samoa (N.K.F.S.) have been given the gift of mobility following a donation from the not-for-profit organisation Brown Girl Woke.

The foundation was the recipient of five wheelchairs on Thursday with the N.K.F.S. Clinical Director, Leituala Dr. Benhur Matalavea thanking the B.G.W. for the manually-operated devices which will come in handy for immobilised patients.

“We were contacted by the not-for-profit group Brown Girl Woke a few weeks ago, they were inquiring if we needed any wheelchairs because they’ve received about 20 wheelchairs last month from Able Collective,” said Leituala.

“It was truly a blessing when they offered to donate these wheelchairs because N.K.F.S. has some patients with diabetes who’ve lost limbs because people living with diabetes have an increased risk of lower limb amputation. 

“Wounds or ulcers that do not heal are the most common cause of amputation among people with this condition.”

The B.G.W. has been distributing wheelchairs donated by Australian charity organisation Able Collective Australia, which had asked that they be donated to assist vulnerable families and individuals in Samoa.

Amputees will be among the main beneficiaries at the N.K.F.S. from the donation, according to Leituala.

“So they really need this important equipment to make it easier and comfortable for them when they come for check-ups and dialysis here at the clinic.”

An amputee and a patient at the clinic told the Samoa Observer that he is thankful for the generous donation by Able Collective. 

“I find it difficult and very uncomfortable when I go to the dialysis twice a week. I don’t have a wheelchair so my eldest son carries me to see the doctor,” he said.

“But thank God these organisations have blessed us with these five wheelchairs.”

B.G.W. President and founder, Maluseu Doris Tulifau, said that they have 10 left from the 20 wheelchairs donated by Able Collective.

“B.G.W has collaborated and partnered with Special Olympics Samoa and Nuanua O Le Alofa (N.O.L.A) who requested us if we could find them much-needed wheelchairs,” she said.

“So we were very fortunate to have received the wheelchair donation from Able Collective last month which we are now redistributing around Samoa.

“N.K.F.S. said they need wheelchairs for their patients and that is why we’ve agreed to give them five wheelchairs for our people currently being treated here at the National Kidney Foundation.”

The recipients of the wheelchairs in Samoa have included various non-government organisations and individuals.

By Bethel Peato Ale 21 October 2021, 8:18PM

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