A Proper Fit

(Justin) This week I visited Friends of Kardelen, a care ministry to Turkish families, particularly those with disabilities or other special needs. The director is Norita Erickson, wife of Kifas' owner Ken Erickson. Some children were there with some severe challenges-- spina bifida, cerebral palsy, scoliosis, etc. They were in wheelchairs that were not helping their bodies develop properly.  Another organization had donated some money to buy chairs for needy kids and I was there with Ken and an American physical therapist to examine the children, get their sizes, and see if a Kifas chair could work better for them. 

(This is a stock photo, not taken at the event described in this post.)

The Xplore Mobility chairs that Kifas is working on producing here are designed specifically for these types of kids. They position the child so that their body functions better, so that they can move and relax, and are adjustable as they grow larger. 

It was heartbreaking to see kids who had certain aggravated handicaps due to ignorance or lack of proper treatment. Groups like Friends of Kardelen work to educate parents about therapy and early intervention.  It was encouraging to see that Kifas' products can help the children and encourage their parents. We hope to do more events like this in the future. 

Check out Norita Erickson's blog here for more on her 30 years of work in Turkey.  Are you a physical therapist who might like to for a short-term trip to help work with these types of children?  If so, please contact us.