Wheelchair For Paul

Four years ago I visited St Judes Children's Home in Gulu, Uganda.  Here I met paul and his 4 brothers and sisters who all have a condition which prevents proper growth of their bodies and dramatically shortens their life expetancy.  I felt the need to try and talk with him and get to know him a little.  Many people feel uncomfortable talking to the residents of St Judes but Paul  was very glad to talk to me.  We spent several days there and I learned that  one of the things he liked to do is to draw.  I offered to buy one of his drawings of a soccer player for $1.00 and was surprised the next day to have several other children lined up to sell me one of their drawings too!  It cost me $20, worth every penny!

When we were  getting ready to leave, I asked Paul if there was anything I could do for him and he wrote me a list of things.  His girst choice was an electric wheel chair so he would be able to move around without having to have someone push him.  You will note from the photo that his wheel chair is a plasitc lawn chair with the legs cut off and wheels attached.  Second was an Ipod.  I have not fufilled my promise to him to help him and since I am going to go back to St Judes in June,  I really want to bring him this life changing wheel chair. I have researched some of the scooters with a joy stick that would be perfect for him and easy to transport on the flight. 

His brother named Sunday died last  year and was twenty years old.  Of course there are many other children there and throughout Africa that need help and I know cannot help them all, but would really like to help this one boy have a better life.  My daughter Suzy has visited Paul several times since that day four years ago and his question is always, "Where is Bruce? Is he bringing me a wheelchair"? Please help me fulfill this promise when I go back to Gulu.  Thanks Bruce Benson




This is Paul's friend Maurice

Pauls brother Sunday who died last summer