Paralyzed woman receives wheelchair after community-bonding event between ANA, ANP

KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

11.13.2011

Story by Capt. Kevin Sandell 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

ZHARAY DISTRICT, KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – A ceremonial event by the Afghan security forces to give over a new wheelchair to a paralyzed woman, turned into a community-building event among the Afghan security forces, village elders and village residents in Kharut in eastern Zharay district, Nov. 11.

The Female Engagement Team from Combined Task Force Spartan’s 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, identified a woman during their visit to the village six days prior. Female Engagement Teams are assets in U.S. Army units that are comprised of all female soldiers, who work with Afghan women in a culture where men are prohibited from interacting with women, searching them, or asking them questions.

The woman was paralyzed from the waist down, and was resigned to crawling throughout her house. A non-profit organization known as Free Wheelchair Mission built and donated the wheelchair, which consists of a plastic chair with large rubberized wheels on each side. The Free Wheelchair Mission has shipped an additional 300 chairs for distribution in Zharay and Maiwand districts. The wheelchairs provide a critical lifeline of hope for paralyzed villagers or amputees who suffered bodily damage from landmines or improvised explosive devices.

Afghan police officers who accepted the wheelchair from coalition forces, met with village elders and the local mullah from Kharut, who offered chai and wanted to discuss recent events in the area. Afghan Soldiers who also accompanied the group, joined with the police officers to conduct a prayer and then proceeded to deliver the wheelchair.

The commander of coalition forces in the area, Lt. Col. Gregory Anderson, said that the villagers were very amiable to the gift of the wheelchair, and wanted to pass along the gesture to more disabled village residents in the area.

“The feelings of gratitude from the villagers were palpable,” said Lt. Col. Anderson. “They expressed genuine appreciation for the thoughtful gesture.”

Lt. Col. Anderson also said the Afghan soldiers on site wanted to extend their mission to allow for a mutual evening prayer with the villagers.

• Date Taken: 11.13.2011
• Date Posted: 11.17.2011 06:25
• Story ID: 80158
• Location: KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF