Wheelchair Drop: Part Two

Courtesy Photo | Capt. Charles Roberts, physician's assistant, adjusts the harness on a pediatric wheelchair for Nawal Achmed, 2. Roberts and Spc. Christopher McCuiston, combat medic, fitted four local children for wheelchairs at the Civil Military Operations Center July 17.  

QAYYARAH, IRAQ

07.25.2006

Courtesy Story

101st Division Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs

Sgt. Rachel Brune
101st Sust. Bde.

Q-WEST BASE COMPLEX, Iraq (July 17, 2006) - One week after delivering six pediatric wheelchairs to the local community, medical and civil affairs personnel from Q-West delivered four more to children of local nationals who work on the base.

Capt. Charles Roberts, physicians assistant, of North Pole, Alaska, and Spc. Christopher McCuiston, combat medic, of Ann Arbor, Mich., fitted the children at the Civil Military Operations Center, or CMOC, July 17.

The medics, from 4th Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, an active duty unit from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, showed the parents how to make adjustments to the chairs using the provided tools, as well as how to collapse the chairs for traveling.

"It's our pleasure to help," said Roberts, when an interpreter translated one father's thanks.

In addition to 12 wheelchairs the 4-11th originally received as part of a larger donation by Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids and ROC Wheels, the unit recently received 10 more to distribute in the community, according to Roberts.

Marwan, 5, Abdul Rachman, 5, AbdulSalam Sbbar, 6, and Nawal Achmed, 2, all received wheelchairs at the CMOC. The 4-11th and the Q-West-based team from the 403rd Civil Affairs Battalion plan to distribute more at next Monday's CMOC.

Local leader Doctor Mohammed assisted the Soldiers, interpreting for the medics and the local nationals.

AbdulSalam's father expressed his thanks to all the people who sent the wheelchairs, said Mohammed.

• Date Taken: 07.25.2006
• Date Posted: 07.25.2006 15:57
• Story ID: 7313
• Location: QAYYARAH, IQ