Scott the Wheelchair Mechanic
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada with a word from First Peter.
Okay, in First Peter, Chapter 4 verse 10 it says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Well, I love that verse because it reflects my friend Scott. He is a solid follower of Jesus, and he works as a systems design engineer. Now I had to look that one up because a systems engineer uses a host of tools and disciplines to analyze and manage complex building projects. I mean right there, I don’t even know what that means, all I know is, Scott’s job is pretty complicated. So, exactly how does my friend use the talent and the intellect God has given him to serve others? How does he faithfully steward his gift as a systems design engineer?
Well, how about applying a little design engineering on a Wheels for the World trip? And that’s exactly what Scott has done. He loves signing up to serve as a seating mechanic. Now, true, he knows nothing about physical therapy, but he does help solve mechanical problems. Like, if a child with a disability cannot hold up his head, Scott jumps in and not only designs a neck support and headrest, he then gets his bag of tools and makes the headrest right on the spot with its support. On a Wheels for the World outreach we might encounter all kinds of unique challenges in order to perfectly fit that disabled kid or adult to his new chair. Footrests may need to be shortened; the wheel base may need to be widened. Or chest harness need to be cut and stitched together. There are all kinds of complex problems that require different tools and disciplines to not only analyze the situation but manage the construction of whatever is needed. It’s why we always have on hand band saws, sewing machines, lots of leather, hard foam cushion, straps, buckles and metal. This is the stuff that people like Scott feel right at home with. And no wonder Scott makes such a great seating mechanic. The physical therapists love him!
He is such a great example of First Peter, Chapter 4, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others.” So when it comes to joining a Wheels for the World outreach you don’t need to be a physical or occupational therapist, and you certainly don’t need a disability-related degree. You could be a car mechanic or a farmer who works on tractors; you could work in a machine shop or in construction…or you could be a systems design engineer like Scott. Whatever your mechanical or engineering background, friend, you would do great using the gifts God has given you to serve kids with disabilities as a Wheels for the World team member!
In fact, I’d like you to meet Scott – because today I posted a video of my husband Ken and Scott serving together on a Wheels for the World outreach in Peru… in a couple of situations, I mean my husband had to look to Scott for instruction, because Scott’s experience working with systems design and his problem-solving skills made him a wonderful wheelchair mechanic. So, listening friend, can you turn a wrench? If your middle name is MacGyver, serve as a wheelchair mechanic on a Wheels for the World team. Our physical therapists will provide you with the training; and all it takes is a heart of service and some skills. And don’t forget to check out Ken’s fun video and get introduced to Scott to see what it’s all about to be on a ‘Wheels’ team. In case you are just a little hesitant because you are not sure about anything that has to do with disability, hey, we’ll teach you everything you need to know. So consider serving on a Wheels for the World trip and get all the details at joniradio.org. And one more thing, we at Joni and Friends would love to pray for you and your troubles so share with us your prayer need today at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends
