OTD Students Serve in Guatemala with Wheels for the World

Huntington University OTD students served with Wheels for the World in Guatemala this past week, providing seating and mobility services for individuals with disabilities. First-year students Kaeli Nedrow, Audrey Post, Liz Britton, Natalie Bozett, Maddie Waldfogel, Adam Horty, Katheline Melei, and Molly Lovasko served alongside licensed occupational therapists to evaluate and prescribe wheelchairs as well as ambulatory aids like walkers and canes for individuals across the lifespan. Third-year students Kyle Menchoffer and Casey Hobbs came along on the team to serve as mentors as part of their Doctoral Capstone project and will also be developing training and orientation resources for future teams. From children with cerebral palsy to older adults with generalized weakness, the team promoted independence and occupation across the lifespan. Increased mobility not only allows more independent function but social participation, school attendance, community engagement, and increase self-confidence.
By the end of the week, more than 150 individuals were served and 35 began a relationship with Jesus Christ through partnership with local pastors and churches. This is the 7th collaborative trip between the OTD program and Joni and Friend’s Wheels for the World with plans to serve again in Peru this coming May. We are thankful for the prayers and support of the campus community – you may not see the fruit “in person” but are just as vital to the physical and eternal impact!
As an aside, faculty leader Nathan Short, also the reigning International Wheels for the World Euchre champion, lost his title briefly (less than 24 hours) to a few ambitious OTD students but was able to regain his championship status prior to returning to the U.S.
The students did an amazing job and we hope this is only the beginning of their combining faith and calling to serve the Lord through their profession!