Wheelchairs For Iraqi Kids

Received this email last week from Woodland Heights resident Captain John D. Turner and wanted to share it with the community.

Friends,

I hope you’re all well. I’m finishing up my year here in Iraq and want to tell you about something I was able to take part in recently. I recently saw a story on CNN about Brad Blauser almost two weeks ago regarding his charity, Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids. On a whim, I went to his website, www.wheelchairsforiraqikids.com and emailed him. I got a response about 3 hours later and the rest is history. Brad flew in last Wednesday morning (19 Aug 09) at 0100 to FOB Warhorse and we distributed 9 wheelchairs to handicapped children. The mission of Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids is “to provide disabled children in Iraq with high quality pediatric wheelchairs (retail value of $3500) purchased from Non-Profit ROC Wheels (www.ROCWheels.org) at $350/ea, and distributed free of charge to needy children. I have made it my goal to find at least 30 donors (or 30 chairs – whichever comes first).

I cannot stress to you enough the impact, however small in the grand scheme of things, that these chairs have on the lives of these children and their families. Most families of ‘disabled’ children don’t know for sure what afflicts their children due to the lack of access to medical care and to the lack of diagnostic supplies and equipment. Brad stated in an email to me, “They’re the most innocent people, not knowing exactly what’s going on around them or understanding it all– the bombs, the gunfire, the screaming and hatred. And the worst part – they can’t run and hide when the scary times come because their legs won’t carry them.” These chairs give the children a sort of freedom and mobility they have never known, which, in turn, frees their families.

We checked up on a few of the children a couple days after the fitting. Mustafa absolutely REFUSES to leave his chair for any reason. He eats, sleeps, and spends all day in his wheelchair; his father told us how much happier (and manageable!) he is now. Bariq, the little boy who Brad taught to use the wheels, is still pushing himself around his father’s house and seeing the world on his own.

People often ask me how they can help support the troops, what they can send to help out, and I finally have an answer. Watching my Soldiers fit these children into their chairs was one of the most fulfilling and moving experiences of my life. As chairs were adjusted to fit each child, Brad told the families through our interpreters “this is the true America.” The people in attendance that day saw a trait they might not have expected from the Americans, people they have been told are barbaric infidels out to destroy the Muslim faith and way of life. My soldiers—our soldiers—are some of the best in the world not because of their superior weapons or tactical knowledge but because they are caring, compassionate human beings. As a commander I have tried to ensure that, in all ways, my Soldiers are ambassadors of the true America. We may not have chosen this war, but we have absolute control over how we choose to act in the course of fighting it.

Soon after I posted the pictures on Facebook, emails and Facebook messages came flooding in. I may have set the bar too low with a goal of donating 30 chairs; based off of e-mails and messages and requests on how to donate, it looks as if we are at 15 so far. That’s over $5k. I am absolutely humbled.

Now for the tricky part: how to donate. At first, I was all for having everyone donate through the website, but I think we can use this as an opportunity to get Brad and his charity some more exposure. Therefore, if you are interested in donating, please send a check (made out to “ROC Wheels” – ensure “Iraq Mission” is written in the subject line) to Alicia and me at the following address:

CPT John and Alicia Turner
Attn: Wheelchair Donation
4408 Stonewall Ave
Richmond, VA 23225
(540) 623-3882 (not currently on – will be on or about 17 September)

If you prefer not to send a check, please donate online (secure payment via credit card or PayPal) and email me at john.turner6@us.army.mil with the amount of the donation so that we can keep track. If you want to learn more about Brad and his charity, Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids (www.wheelchairsforiraqikids.com) please visit his website or learn more about him by looking up the 2009 CNN Heroes. A donation of any dollar amount is graciously welcomed; $1 is closer than these kids were yesterday. All donations are tax deductible.

I have included the report Brad sends to all of his supporters so you can see pictures of the event. As I’m in a more remote area of Diyala with limited internet access, I don’t have the ability to send many pictures.

In closing, I understand that times might be tough back home and finances are tight with many people. If you are unable to give anything to this worthy cause, I ask you to forward this on to someone/everyone (friends, family, Congressmen/women, activists) who may be able to help. Robert F. Kennedy once said, “Few will have the greatness to bend history, but each of us can work to change a small portion of the event, and then the total, all of these acts, will be written in the history of this generation.” As I leave Iraq in the next few weeks, all I can take with me is the memory of the smiles on the faces of these little kids after someone finally did something especially for them. These kids will most likely never have the wonderful type of life you hope for your own children, but with your help, we can help Brad make it just a little bit better.

Thank you for reading this email.

Lets get to work…

John D. Turner
CPT, FA
Commanding
A Battery, 2-8 FA, 1-25 SBCT

Wheelchair Distribution Report – Diyala 31 Aug 2009 PDF

CNN Heroes print story
“Thinking big for the little ones” video
FoxNews Dallas video
FoxNews Las Vegas video
CBS News Dallas video