WINNEMUCCA - Mike Snow recently took a very unique "vacation."
For 10 days in early September, the local physical therapist worked tirelessly from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., spoke so much Spanish that his own language might now be compromised and felt a deep love and respect he didn't know existed for a people he's never met before.
"It was a chance to lend a helping hand to people in need," said Snow, who owns Rehab Services of Nevada. "It was an experience I will never forget."
Snow traveled to the country of Paraguay to participate in a humanitarian mission sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was accompanied by Matt Daybell, a former Winnemucca resident and fellow therapist, who now resides in Rexburg, Idaho.
The two volunteered their professional services to participate in a unique wheelchair project that included training therapists in Paraguay how to evaluate and fit patients with a wheelchair.
Following the training, the local therapists, with supervision from Snow, began to fit the poorest of the poor with new wheelchairs donated by the church.
These newly trained wheelchair specialists not only had to learn how to select the right wheelchair and make the necessary adjustments for a proper fit, but Snow said the group also educated recipients on how to use and care for their new wheelchairs and how to avoid pressure sores which can become infected and life threatening.
"The work we did is consistent with our church welfare principles," said Snow. "By training the local therapists how to provide the wheelchair fitting and care, they can then care for their own people. We are teaching someone to fish as opposed to simply giving them a fish."
Snow continued, "As for those who receive a wheelchair, in many cases this person goes from being pushed in a wheel barrel to the independence of a wheelchair and then to the dignity of having a job. And that is a great thing!"
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a long history of helping the poor and disadvantaged. Snow said the church's wheelchair project has been in operation for the past seven years; to date over 500,000 wheelchairs have been distributed in about 100 countries along with the requisite education and fittings.
"We always partner with local charities," he said, noting that in Paraguay The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partnered with the Paraguayan government and the Catholic Church, which housed the training in one of their beautiful monasteries.
Snow said the days provided many, many touching moments. "When you see a parent bring a 10-year-old child piggyback to get a wheelchair, and then you discover they have traveled by bus for 200 miles from one of the poorest regions, well even the Grinch would feel a pull on his heartstrings."
Snow continued, "Now, seeing this child light up with a smile as she learns to push her own wheelchair. Now that is priceless!" he said.
Snow noted that the wheelchairs used in Paraguay are different from those used in the U.S.A.
"In Paraguay, many of the roads are made of dirt, gravel, sand or paved with rocks. The chairs we are sending have wheels which can handle these rough terrains," he said. "The tires and bearings are made of bicycle parts and can be serviced at any local bike shop, which in Paraguay is on every other corner."
Snow said aluminum wheelchairs couldn't be easily welded in Paraguay, so the church's wheelchairs are made of steel and can easily be repaired.
Wheelchairs are donated, said Snow, but not by a few wealthy. "They come from working families, including children, around the world. These are LDS families who believe we are all children of God and we should take care of each other," he said. "They are trying to follow the example of Christ and believe their donation will make a difference."
Snow said his service opportunity in Paraguay was a perfect blend of his professional skills and his Christian beliefs.
"Jesus worked among the poor and he healed people," said Snow. "He gave them back mobility, dignity, freedom and independence."
He continued, "As a Christian, my perspective is that these people are in a tough situation. They are living in abject poverty and have lost a limb or were born with deformities which prevent them from walking. They are children of God and need help. So you take whatever skills you have and roll up your sleeves and go to work. In short you do what Christ would do which, in part, is helping them regain mobility and dignity."
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