Eleanore's Project in Jordan

Eleanore's Project 2007 Jordan expedition took place from June 24 through July 9. A one day workshop on June 24 was attended by approximately 25 occupational and physical therapists from around Jordan. "Special Topics in Wheelchair Seating for Children" was very well received and set a great tone for the remainder of our time. Delayed customs release of our shipment resulted in postponement of three days of wheelchair clinics in Amman from the beginning of the schedule to the end, but our team was wonderfully flexible. We traveled and worked in the following communities over two weeks: Madaba, Wadi Musa, Ma'an, Karak, Irbid and Amman.

With the aid of Jordanian therapists from our workshops and Peace Corps volunteers, we were able to assess and fit 154 individuals, primarily children. Severe deformities and health complications required much creativity on the part of our therapists and techs. The remaining 40 wheelchairs were left in the hands of OT and PT colleagues who worked with us at the clinics, and will be fit to recipients over the coming weeks and months. We look forward to continuing collaboration with these therapists in the future. Special recognition is given to Rizan Al-Kurdi who is the Eleanore’s Project Jordan in-country coordinator. Without her efficient work and wonderful heart, we could not hope to have our efforts succeed in Jordan.

Special thanks to organizations that made it possible for us to work in Jordan this year. The Hashemite Society for Soldiers with Special Needs facilitated the duty free release of our wheelchair shipment, and kindly offered much support including assistance with unloading the container, space for sorting and storing wheelchairs in Amman, and storage of extra supplies for future use. We look forward to collaboration with them next year. Aya Centre for Special Education sponsored our educational workshop at no cost to us or those who attended. They also provided space and support for two days of wheelchair clinics benefitting not only their students but others outside their program, and kindly provided transportation for wheelchairs to Mother Teresa's home in Amman. We look forward to working with these friends again next year! Peace Corps Jordan provided volunteers who helped unload and assemble wheelchairs, ran errands, entertained waiting kids, translated, learned the basics of wheelchair mechanics and in some cases will be providing follow-up in their villages. We hope they will be part of our 2008 effort and cannot thank them enough! The Amman Lions Club provided support for customs clearance transactions and transportation of the wheelchairs from Aqaba to Amman; we especially thank our friend Norma Shalhoub, who put so much heart into her efforts for Eleanore’s Project. The Jordanian American Association of San Francisco generously supported the living expenses for our team in Jordan, and the Partners in Justice Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet provided valuable support.

We are grateful to the following centers who hosted/coordinated wheelchair clinics:  Our Lady of Peace Center, St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, Petra Special Education Society, Southern Society for Special Education, Mu’ta University National Institute for Community Based Rehabilitation and Al Nahda Center for the Physically Challenged.

The members of the Jordan 2007 team are as follows:

Rizan Al-Kurdi - Amman

Carolyn Kelly, OT Reg. – Nova Scotia

Robert Kelly – Nova Scotia

Arwen Kittelson-Aldred – Montana

Rick Aldred – Montana

Tamara Kittelson-Aldred, MS, OTR/L, ATP – Montana

Eva Ma, OT, ATP – Oregon

Richard Parnell, ATP – Minnesota

Larry Rechlin, PT, ATP – Florida

Rosanne Rechlin, RN - Florida