Eleanore's Project in Jordan

In August 2008 Eleanore’s Project will embark on an unusual but exciting expedition to Jordan. This trip will be exclusively for the purpose of education, follow-up with previous recipients and planning for 2009.

Because of financial and other circumstances we were unable to arrange a shipment of wheelchairs for this year, but felt strongly about maintaining our connections in Jordan and even more strongly about offering follow-up services and education for therapists and students. We also reasoned that such a trip would allow us a bit more time than usual to meet with partners and potential partners and to make plans for a 2009 shipment and wheelchair clinics.

The Partners in Justice Fund of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet provided part of our funding for the 2007 expedition, and invited us to submit a proposal again for this year. They generously funded our request for grant monies in full, to be used for purchasing materials for wheelchair repair and refurbishing, team living expenses and transportation around Jordan, and support for educational seminars.

We are excited by this opportunity to “practice what we preach” about the importance of ongoing re-assessment and follow-up to provide optimal wheelchair seating and mobility services. We also hope to introduce some of the non-speaking children and their families to basic concepts of low-tech alternative and augmentative communication systems.

The team for this expedition is as follows:

Isabelle Cormier (OT) – Canada
Scott Scobey (RTS) – USA
Jack Craigs (RTS) – USA
Arwen Kittelson-Aldred – USA
Rick Aldred – USA
Tamara Kittelson-Aldred (OT) – USA
Rizan Al-Kurdi (Coordinator) - Jordan