Free Wheelchair Mission

Our mission is to provide the transformative gift of mobility to people with disabilities in under-resourced countries who would otherwise be unable to obtain or afford a wheelchair, as motivated by Jesus Christ. Our values include providing a high-quality, low-cost wheelchair to suitable recipients free of charge, and conducting our mission with integrity, creativity and cost effectiveness while making an impact in the world. Through innovative engineering and compassionate service, our vision is to be a worldwide humanitarian problem-solver and champion for people living with disabilities. Free Wheelchair Mission believes in a world where everyone who needs a wheelchair has one- no matter one's race, age, gender, faith, or economic status.

In 1979, Don Schoendorfer took a trip to Morocco and witnessed a moment that would change his life: a woman dragging herself across a dirt road while dodging traffic. He soon realized that her experience was not unusual. Physical disability is a pressing issue globally, with many people in developing countries unable to afford the care and mobility aids they need. Schoendorfer utilized his MIT PhD in biomechanical engineering to develop a cost-effective, durable wheelchair from materials common in developing countries: plastic lawn chairs and bicycle tires. The resulting design, the iconic GEN_1 wheelchair, became the basis for FWM, founded in 2001.

Free Wheelchair Mission is now the world’s largest nonprofit manufacturer of wheelchairs designed for the developing world. To date, we have distributed more than 1.4 million wheelchairs in 95 countries. We collaborate with humanitarian organizations, non-profit or government agencies, and religious or civic groups to solve real world problems utilizing biomechanical engineering to create cost effective mobility solutions. FWM is bringing transformation that opens doors to education, employment opportunities, and community that these individuals only dreamed of before receiving the gift of mobility. The impact of a wheelchair offers independence, opportunity, and access to resources that promote self-reliance, dignified transportation, and social connection.

Since 2001, Free Wheelchair Mission has provided 1.4 million wheelchairs to people living in 95 developing countries. We reached our fiscal year 2024 goal and shipped 125 containers of wheelchairs to 29 countries, transforming the lives of 62,648 individuals and their families. We currently distribute an average of 176 wheelchairs per day. Our unique wheelchair design and distribution model allows us to maximize our impact around the globe, lifting thousands off the ground into a renewed sense of dignity, hope, and independence.

In May of 2023 we rolled out wheelchair production at our new manufacturing source, Krypton Industries in India. Having an additional manufacturer will help to alleviate some of the supply chain issues we have faced in recent years. We shipped our first container from Krypton in June and look forward to building our capacity there.

We continue to make design and quality control improvements for our wheelchairs. Recent improvements made to the wheelchair include: Updated and more durable air pump nozzle for pumping up the wheelchair tires; Updated GEN_2 & 3 Assembly Manual; Reinforced the brake lock mechanism with stronger plastic material and fasteners.

Over the last year, teams from Free Wheelchair Mission continue to strengthen our global network through visits to overseas distribution partners. These visits included comprehensive training sessions, manufacturing assessments, and vision trips, all aimed at fortifying our network and expanding our reach. From remote wheelchair audits (China and Iraq), to Vision Trips to El Salvador and Peru, to coaching in Ecuador and Guatemala, we aim to provide high quality education, collaboration, and service through key partnerships all over the world.

We currently have 1,114 individual user enrollments for our online wheelchair training modules.

Last year we established our natural disaster plan and emergency response plan to streamline efforts in providing wheelchairs during a disaster or crisis.

In October 2023, Don Schoendorfer, was honored in Washington DC as an AARP Purpose Prize winner. The Award honors those 50+ who have used their life experience to make a difference. At the award event, Don also received the Inspire Award for his inspirational work in starting Free Wheelchair Mission and making an impact all over the world.

The need for wheelchairs in our world is staggering. In developing countries, the World Health Organization estimates that 80 million people need a wheelchair, but cannot obtain one. People with disabilities are often marginalized in their own communities, and face increased physical and cultural barriers in developing countries. Many are forced to live on the ground, confined to the home, or must be carried. According to the WHO, the number of people experiencing disability is increasing due to a rise in chronic health conditions and population aging. Disability is a human rights issue, as people with disability are subject to multiple violations of their rights, including acts of violence, abuse, prejudice and disrespect because of their disability. People with disabilities also face barriers, stigmatization and discrimination when accessing healthcare and health-related services. Disability is a development priority because of its higher prevalence in lower-income countries and because disability and poverty reinforce and perpetuate one another. (WHO, November 2021) In order to participate, gain access and maintain visibility in the communities where they live, people living with disabilities first need a means to enter those communities-- they need access, like a mobility aid such as a wheelchair.

For as little as $96, we provide a high-quality, low-cost, and highly functional wheelchair to suitable recipients free of charge. All three of our wheelchair models are designed with locally-available resources in mind and designed to be resilient enough to withstand regular use in the rugged terrain most common in the developing world. FWM wheelchairs are manufactured in China and India, then shipped directly to each destination country, where Free Wheelchair Mission distributes the wheelchairs through established humanitarian and social service networks. We train our partners in correct wheelchair prescription and provision, ensuring proper distribution and education to the recipient. Our wheelchair design and distribution model allows us to maximize our impact around the globe, lifting thousands off the ground and gifting them with not only mobility, but a renewed sense of dignity, hope, and independence.

Since 2001 FWM has served individuals from 95 countries. A distribution map is available on our website, www.freewheelchairmission.org. In 2023, we worked in the following countries:

Argentina
Brazil
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Eswatini
Ghana
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
India
Jordan
Jamaica
Kenya
Mexico
Nepal
Nicaragua
Pakistan
Paraguay
Philippines
Rwanda
South Africa
Uganda
Ukraine
Vietnam
Yemen

Dear friends,

In 2023, your unwavering prayers and support empowered us to navigate global uncertainties and economic challenges, allowing us to extend our impact. Throughout the year, your generosity sent 61,732 new wheelchairs to people living with disabilities in 33 developing countries; since our founding in 2001, you have helped distribute a total of 1,365,696 wheelchairs in 95 countries. These gifts have transcended individual lives, reaching caregivers, families, neighbors, and friends, fostering positive change within entire communities.

June marked a significant milestone as the first shipment of wheelchairs from our second manufacturer, Krypton Industries, reached Costa Rica. The strategic decision to produce our wheelchairs at two factories ensures a constant supply of new wheelchairs for years to come.

Teams from Free Wheelchair Mission continued to strengthen our global network through visits to overseas distribution partners. These visits included comprehensive training sessions, manufacturing assessments, and vision trips, all aimed at fortifying our network and expanding our reach.

Increased media coverage, spanning television news segments, magazine articles, social media posts, and digital advertising, has significantly heightened our visibility both nationally and internationally. This enhanced exposure helped us to reach all new groups of supporters.

Together with you, we have achieved so much, but the need for mobility remains urgent: the World Health Organization estimates that 80 million people worldwide need wheelchairs. With your enduring partnership, we can remain committed to addressing this need and mobilizing others with the life-transforming gift of mobility. Thank you for blessing our mission and for being part of this journey with us.