Updated: Tue, Mar 1, 2016, 6:57 am Uploaded: Fri, Feb 26, 2016, 7:39 am The emotional work never let up in northern Thailand -- and neither did the heat and humidity -- as the volunteers fitted people with wheelchairs that would at last give them mobility. "My team distributed about 80 wheelchairs and spent upwards of three to five hours with one chair so it fits perfectly," said Pleasanton resident Holly Micheff, an occupational therapist, who made the trip in November with Wheels for the World. "Some of them had been waiting for chairs for upwards of five years. They were all ages." Sixteen volunteers made the trip last fall, splitting into teams to travel to different parts of Thailand, each with a mechanic, an occupational therapist, a translator and a support person to fill out a questionnaire with the family. "Some of the mechanics on our team have been doing it for over 20 years, and they've designed a manual and a whole tool kit," Micheff explained during a recent interview.

"One of the main parts is teaching them about safety and maintenance of the wheelchair."where to buy wheelchairs in thailand Micheff, a 2008 Foothill High grad, earned a master's degree in occupational therapy from Dominican University after graduating from UC San Diego. old rocking chair guitar chordsShe began working at California Children's Services in Alameda County in May after receiving her license, and she was hired as a permanent staff pediatric occupational therapist last month.table and chair rental in harlem "A pediatric occupational therapist is someone who helps kids overcome disabilities and achieve optimal independence," Micheff said. She works to help individuals perform everyday tasks, from brushing their teeth to going to a job.

"Those with disabilities may be held back by physical or emotional or a psychological-social component," Micheff said. "We work with clients to determine what's limiting them. We give them exercises or other adaptive equipment that can help them be independent." Then in the fall, she heard about an opportunity at Joni and Friends, an international ministry to help those with disabilities. Its Wheels for the World program collects used wheelchairs from throughout the United States, has them refurbished by prison inmates, and then sends volunteers overseas to distribute them. "A dear friend of mine was at a Joni and Friends retreat and heard an announcement that Wheels for the World were going to Thailand and needed an occupational therapist," Micheff said. "My friend immediately thought of me." After being accepted into the program, Micheff went into overdrive to raise the $3,000 needed to cover the flight and living expenses for 2 1/2 weeks. "My family and friends all came through," she said.

On the trip, the volunteers partnered with Thai Rotary and the local church -- a minority in Thailand, which is 95% Buddhist. They also distributed Bibles written in Thai. "Our mission was not to convert them but to show them we're here because we care about you and love you, and we believe our God loves us so much that we are attributing what we're doing to our God," Micheff said. This idea could be difficult to convey, she noted, because Buddhism is based on merit rather than "the concept of God." Micheff said the last person she fitted was a little girl who had been a healthy child until the age of 4 when she was bitten by a dog. Doctors believe this resulted in some type of brain infection, which caused muscle impairment and quadriplegia. "What touched my heart so much -- and it really opened my eyes to the need in Thailand, and I'm sure several countries -- is she can't move her muscles to eat by mouth anymore," Micheff said. "She was so malnourished, I had to step away for a second."

The girl had been lying down for the six years since the incident, which resulted in scoliosis, common in such cases, Micheff said. They got her sitting in the chair, which will at least give her the best life she could hope for and the best posture for her body. "She has a very loving, supportive family," Micheff said. "I was trying to educate the mom on how to maximize her calorie intake." Micheff returned from Thailand energized, and she hopes her experience will inspire others. "I was able to help this girl in a really tangible way," she said. "I left there with this desire to do more." "Living in America, it's so easy to think material things bring us satisfaction but then we see people like that but who are more joyful," Micheff reflected. "What really matters is relationships and connecting with people and investing in people." She is confident that new opportunities to help others will open up and meanwhile has the job she always dreamed of at California Children's Services.

"I'm flabbergasted sometimes, the overlap between my career and the opportunity I had to go to Thailand," she said. "It's cool when you feel you're where you're supposed to be, doing what you love and loving what you do." It's not what you push...it's what pushes you! Sportaid goes so far as to offer a  120% Low Price Guarantee on all wheelchairs to make sure you really do come out a winner big time! Browse through our huge selection of sports wheelchairs and everyday wheelchairs below or feel free to call 1-800-743-7203 for help purchasing your wheelchair today. You'll be glad you did! Save as much as 67% on sports wheelchairs and everyday wheelchairs  by getting your wheelchair from Sportaid today! Ultra Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs Ultra Lightweight Rigid Wheelchairs Find the Right Wheelchair for You! To ensure that your shopping experience is as enjoyable and rewarding as possible, we have divided our wheelchair offerings into familiar categories starting with the Ultra Lightweight Wheelchairs and Lightweight Wheelchairs.

Remember, the lighter your chair the easier it will be to lift, carry, and take in and out of vehicles. As far as weight classes are concerned, wheelchairs are classified into the following weight categories: Ultra Lightweight 14 to 28 lbs., Lightweight 29 to 34 lbs., and Standard 35+ lbs. The typical sports chair weighs 25 lbs. or less. There are many factors to consider when deciding which type wheelchair is best for you. Your level and type of injury, your age, your body type, and your endurance are important issues to consider when shopping for a wheelchair. Consult with professionals like physical and occupational therapists. Talk with other wheelchair users and share ideas about which chairs are best and why. Takeaway — Let us take a quick look at our main sub-categories in the "Wheelchair" category. To access these sub-categories, you can use the convenient fly-out menu in the left sidebar, or click on the menu titles below to open a Wheelchair sub-category page in the current browser tab/window.

Titanium Wheelchairs — TiLite, Top End, and Invacare are bringing new level of durability and quality to the table with Titanium Wheelchairs. Sportaid's vast selection of Titanium Wheelchairs is sure to hold a favorite that will interest you in terms of value and quality. Ultra Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs — Manufactured by name brands like Invacare, Quickie, and TiLite, our Ultra Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs provide the convenience of an ultra lightweight folder in chairs with rigid ride characteristics. Ultra Lightweight Rigid Wheelchairs — If it is rigid design that you are after, Top End, Icon, Quickie, and TiLite Ultra Lightweight Rigid Wheelchairs are built with state-of-the-art technology and materials to bring you a truly remarkable ride. Lightweight Folding Wheelchairs — These Invacare, Quickie, and TiLite lightweight folders are made from lightweight yet durable aluminum or titanium alloys. Lightweight Rigid Wheelchairs — Colours, Invacare, Quickie, and TiLite Lightweight Rigid wheelchairs are a rigid frame design that eliminates the additional weight found with folders.

Sportaid carries sports chairs in the form of handcycles, racers, all terrain chairs, and court chairs. See our huge selection of court chairs for Wheelchair Basketball , Wheelchair Tennis , and Wheelchair Quad Rugby . These high-performance sports chairs are manufactured by Colours, Quickie, TiLite, and Top End. All Terrain Wheelchairs — With large knobby tires and larger, fatter front casters, these all-terrain chairs from Colours, Terra Trek, and Top End help you roll over rough terrain and obstacles. Standard Wheelchairs — Affordable, durable standard, manual wheelchairs from Guardian, Invacare, and Quickie. Beach And Pool Wheelchairs — Whether it is the beach or the backyard pool, beach and pool chairs from Colours, Landeez, and PVC are great for summer fun. Transport Wheelchairs — Manufactured by Guardian and Invacare, choose from standard transport (weight capacity: 250 to 300 lbs.), lightweight transport (225 to 300 lbs.), or heavy duty transport (weight capacity: over 300 lbs.).

Youth Wheelchairs — Colours, TiLite, and Quickie offer youth series chairs. TiLite even offers a "growable" chair that can be modified as your child develops. Reclining Wheelchairs — Invacare reclining back manual wheelchairs are among the world's best chairs of this type. Choose from super lightweight reclining wheelchairs to the slightly heavier high back reclining wheelchairs. Related Article: Choose a Wheelchair That is Right For You . Whether you are a new customer or one of our original and most loyal patrons, we guarantee satisfaction. After over 20 years in the business helping people find sports wheelchairs and everyday wheelchairs at the lowest prices, we are proudly considered and industry leader! We carry a large selection of wheelchair cushions , wheelchair parts , and wheelchair accessories . We are capable of beating any competitor's advertised price, just call! Our customer service staff has over 50 years of experience, plus over 90 years of combined wheelchair use experience.