'Wolfhounds' PRT deliver pediatric wheelchairs to Tikrit Rehabilitation Hospital

Photo By Staff Sgt. Coltin Heller | A staff member of the Tikrit Rehabilitation Hospital unloads a pediatric wheelchair for Iraqi families with physically disabled children, March 28. The non-profit organization, which donated the chairs that facilitated better mobility and quality of life for the children, also donated several wheelchairs in February. "This program tries to do this as often as possible," said Brad Blauser, founder of the non-profit organization that donated the chairs. "For us, it's all about the kids."  

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IRAQ

03.19.2011

Story by Sgt. Coltin Heller 

109th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Sgt. Coltin Heller

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Iraqi parents soothed and cradled their children, waiting for assistance promised by the Tikrit Rehabilitation Hospital staff.

Smiles appeared on the faces of Iraqi children and their parents as members of Salah ad Din Provincial Reconstruction Team, escorted by U.S. Division-North Soldiers assigned to Company A, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, delivered wheelchairs to Iraqi families in need March 28.

Brad Blauser, founder of a non-profit organization that provides pediatric wheelchairs for disabled Iraqi children, personally delivered 12 wheelchairs purchased with funds donated by the PRT.

"This program tries to do this as often as possible," Blauser said. "For us, it's all about the kids."

Members of the hospital staff assisted Blauser and PRT members unload the wheelchairs transported by “Wolfhound” soldiers of 1st Bn., 27th Inf. Regt. Parents carried their children into the Tikrit Rehabilitation Hospital gymnasium, and with assistance of the PRT, settled their children into their new wheelchairs.

"For many of these kids, this is the first time they have seen a wheelchair," said Staff Sgt. Matthew Spady, civil liaison team non-commissioned officer who works with the PRT. "The kids seem frightened at first, but after awhile you can see them enjoying the chair."

Spady, with other members of the PRT, fitted each child to their new pediatric wheelchair, adjusting the foot rests and padding, ensuring each child sat comfortably and secure.

"This is big deal for these kids. They are usually carried or carted everywhere," said Spady, who hails from Rainier, Ore. "You notice a big difference."

"You could tell the parents were really into what we were doing," said 1st Lt. Ty Lin, platoon leader, Company A. "They watched and were very attentive on what was going on, so they know what to do to make their kids as comfortable as possible."

Lin, who escorted the PRT on previous humanitarian missions, said he enjoys the reactions of the children, and has no reservations coming back.

"I'm proud to escort the PRT when conducting this type of mission," said the Danville, Calif. native. "It's great knowing you could have a hand in something as good as this."

In addition to the 12 chairs donated during the event, the PRT donated 20 chairs in February, providing other Iraqi families better quality of life for their children.

• Date Taken: 03.19.2011
• Date Posted: 04.09.2011 08:28
• Story ID: 68487
• Location: CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ