Hadi and His Family Encountered the Love of God Through Wheels for the World
Around the world, the majority of people who need mobility-assistive devices like wheelchairs have to do without. And in regions where violent conflict rips apart lives and families, the critical needs of the vulnerable—especially people with disabilities—far too often go unmet.
Mobility Needs in the Middle East
In places like the war-torn West Bank, or Jordan, many refugee families from Syria, Iraq, and other countries struggle for adequate shelter, supplies, and nourishment. This is where the needs of people with disabilities reach urgent and overwhelming levels. Amid the trauma and deprivation that radiate from conflict zones, people desperately need help and hope.
That’s why when Joni and Friends sends a Wheels for the World™ team to hold an outreach in the West Bank or Jordan, we do not just send wheelchairs and mobility equipment to distribute. We bring physical and occupational therapists to customize each wheelchair to its recipient.
And, most importantly, we bring loving volunteers and staff to share the tangible love of God, planting seeds of truth and praying for ongoing and eternal transformation in the hearts of the people we meet.
Meet Hadi and his dad…
On a recent Wheels for the World outreach in Jordan, our team met 14-year-old Hadi and his dad. Living with cerebral palsy and autism, Hadi has a wide, warm smile. And though his dad struggled to carry Hadi into the wheelchair distribution site, the deep love between father and son showed through with heartwarming clarity.
Hadi lives with his parents and two brothers in Jordan. His mother takes care of him during the day while his father is at work. But at night—while the rest of their family sleeps peacefully—Hadi’s father stays by his side.
Multiple times a night, Hadi needs his dad’s help to turn and get repositioned. Without this help, he would risk developing painful pressure ulcers known as bed sores.
More Than a Wheelchair
Hadi has endured multiple surgeries to address the physical issues that he faces. And doctors say that he will need at least two more procedures in the future. He also struggles to eat nutritious food—though he loves bananas, and has at least one every day!
And through all the hardships that come with Hadi’s disability, his father adores him, tenderly seeing to his needs. Still, the family couldn’t access the kind of wheelchair Hadi needed to get out of the house. When they arrived at our wheelchair distribution site, it was clear that a wheelchair would completely transform Hadi’s—and his father’s—situation.
As Hadi spent time with the physical therapist assessing his condition to recommend the right wheelchair for him, his father enjoyed getting to know the whole team.
And his joy bubbled over when he received a copy of Joni’s autobiography in Arabic.
“I will read this out loud to Hadi and my other sons. They love Americans, so they will be excited!” said Hadi’s dad.
New Hope and Freedom
As Hadi got seated and custom-fitted in his new wheelchair, fresh possibilities and freedom immediately emerged for him and his entire family. He can leave his house and enjoy being part of his community—and his father no longer needs to carry him. Hadi and his father love being outside. Now, with his wheelchair, they can enjoy long, refreshing walks together.
Through Wheels for the World, Hadi and his family encountered the love of God in a concrete, life-changing way.
And that love continues to reach into their lives and hearts as our team leans in to learn about and meet their needs on an ongoing basis—even working to source a specialized bed for Hadi so he and his dad can get a sound night’s sleep! You can transform lives by making it possible for families like Hadi’s to experience the hands-on love of the Lord.
Support Joni and Friends
Your gift today will bring critical help and hope to families living with disability in regions shaken by violent conflict.
