Spinal Injury Association receives equipment to support people with disabilities

Spinal Injury Association Fiji today received wheelchairs, scooters, and elbow crutches worth $1.4 million from Vodafone ATH Foundation, Rotary Club Suva, PhysioNet and Australia Aid to support people with disabilities.

The Vodafone ATH has also provided a $30,000 cheque to support the shipment of more than 1000 equipment.

Spinal Injury Association Office Manager Mere Roden says the equipment will help and support people with disabilities in different organizations within Fiji.

She says some of the challenges faced by the association include items not being returned after recipients have passed away, shortage of equipment as they support more than 1000 members including maritime areas, funding and grants and getting financial assistance.

Roden says people must understand and be patient with their services as there is a process that needs to be followed.

Meanwhile, Nafi Bai of Suva who had a spinal injury from a diving incident and received a wheelchair says the benefits provided by the association are helping him to do his work and help the disability sector.

He says being a person in a wheelchair is not easy as he went through depression and suicidal thoughts and wished to live a normal life.