This story comes from Steven and Grace of FEDES in Chile:

Alejandro was abandoned by his family in the streets of Santiago when he was 3 years old. The police picked him up and took him to an institution for disabled children. He was born with meningitis and has been disabled all his life. Years later his father felt bad about dumping him into the streets and found him and took him back into his home.   A bit later his father became an alcoholic, and Alejandro was back on the streets at the age of 18. He started begging and selling anything he could at a small fair close by so that he could survive, sometimes crawling to get to places and sometimes with a borrowed wheelchair that was old and broken. He developed pressure sores and they became infected.  He was very sick. A social worker learned about him and called us explaining his testimony. By a miracle she got Alejandro into a hospital for treatment, the only place in Santiago where they take in adults that are physically disabled. She asked if we could visit him and also bring him a wheelchair.

Alejandro is now 30 years old. We were amazed by his beautiful spirit. Even though his life has been so lonely and sad he was so happy that the Lord picked him up - that he meet good people who help him, sometimes feed him and wash his clothes, etc., and even in their own poverty went out of their way to help him.  He was so positive and encouraging and that was amazing, a real example to us. He was so thankful that the Lord heard his desperate prayers and supplied him a wheelchair. He sends his thanks to Free Wheelchair Mission and all of you!

Another amazing thing that happened is that this institution for disabled adults has learned that since the seat of our wheelchair is made of plastic, Alejandro is able to take a shower with no problem. We will provide them with many more wheelchairs, thanks to you!