Celebrate One Million Lives Changed by the Gift of a Wheelchair at the Downtown Independent in Los Angeles

Free Wheelchair Mission hosts an exclusive screening of powerful documentary, "Because No One Should Have to Crawl," featuring the story of Free Wheelchair Mission’s one millionth wheelchair recipient.

Los Angeles, CA, December 12, 2018 --(PR.com)-- Free Wheelchair Mission brings its 1 Million for 1 Million campaign to Los Angeles on January 8, 2019, in celebration of the distribution of one million wheelchairs to people in need in 93 countries around the world since 2001. The humanitarian, faith-based nonprofit provides durable and adaptable wheelchairs at no cost to people with little to no mobility in developing nations.

Held at the Downtown Independent, the highlight of the campaign is a screening of the powerful documentary, “Because No One Should Have to Crawl,” narrated by Sam Waterston, best-known for his role on the TV show, “Law & Order.” The documentary is part of the award-winning public television series, “The Visionaries,” now in its 23rd season, which highlights rarely-told stories of nonprofit organizations around the world making a positive difference in their community and beyond.

“Because No One Should Have to Crawl” chronicles Free Wheelchair Mission’s incredible journey from founder Don Schoendorfer’s garage in 2001 to the distribution of its one-millionth wheelchair in the highlands of Peru in 2017. Schoendorfer was seeking an innovative solution to the growing need for mobility in the developing world: currently, an estimated 70 million people worldwide need a wheelchair but cannot afford one, often leaving them unable to go to school, work, or care for themselves. Many are left to crawl on the ground.

A biomedical engineer by trade, Schoendorfer developed a wheelchair that could withstand the rugged terrain of developing countries and is easy to care for yet costs just $80 for the organization to manufacture and ship. Thanks to a strong network of supporters and global distributors, all recipients receive the wheelchair as a gift, at no cost to them.

The evening will be hosted by travel expert and travel journalist, Jeannette Ceja, of Jet Set with Jeannette. Ceja has been a Free Wheelchair Mission global ambassador since 2017.

Following the screening is a Q&A session with Nuka Solomon, Executive Director of Free Wheelchair Mission, and host David Hummelberg, Principal Operating Officer (COO & CFO) of North American Distribution at Capital Group. Solomon previously served with United Way of Los Angeles, and Hummelberg currently serves on the board of Free Wheelchair Mission.

The 1 Million for 1 Million campaign invites individuals to join the cause of mobility, transforming the lives of people with disabilities in the developing world. The campaign is based on a simple premise: if one million individuals become inspired, they will transform the lives of another million people, one wheelchair at a time. Schoendorfer believes that the stirring, real-life stories featured in the documentary could spark such inspiration.

Join Free Wheelchair Mission’s tour stop in Los Angeles, California.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019 – 7 pm
Film screening followed by an intimate Q&A with Nuka Solomon and David Hummelberg

Downtown Independent - 251 S. Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Admission to this event is free. Please RSVP: freewheelchairmission.org/losangeles
Contact
Free Wheelchair Mission
Jennifer Walker
617-817-0400
www.freewheelchairmission.org
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