WC Express

WORLD WHEELCHAIR EXPRESS FOUNDATION
In association with
ULTIMATE WHEELCHAIR SPORTS FOUNDATION

World Wheelchair Express is a Canadian foundation that supports disabled wheelchair athletes in developing countries. WWEF is on a mission to provide disabled persons with the opportunity to participate in organized local, national and international sport. We will provide wheelchair racing equipment, information, coaching and will assist in development of infrastructure to create effective sustainable National Disabled Sport Federations.

WORLD WHEELCHAIR EXPRESS FOUNDATION
Organizational Overview

Need / Benefit

Disabled people around the world face challenges and obstacles in virtually every facet of their existence. Dealing with disability in a developing country increases the impact of these challenges.

Sports can be a powerful vehicle for bringing about positive change in the lives of people with disabilities. Sport related activities promote physical and emotional wellbeing. It is effective in developing confidence, mutual respect and unity of purpose, which can bring positive change in people’s lives and in the world around them.

Participation in sport can improve a person's strength, mobility and endurance while fostering self reliance and encouraging positive social interaction between all members of a society. Further, this interaction empowers people with disabilities to become advocates for themselves and their rights.

When ability and commonality replace disability and difference, individuals and communities reach their maximum potential. Sport is a universal language that reaches across physical, social and political barriers.

Mission

To provide the opportunity for disabled individuals in developing countries to participate in sport. To provide equipment, information, coaching and assist in developing infrastructure for an effective National Disabled Sports Federation.

WWEF COMMENCES OPERATIONS IN SOUTHWEST ASIA

MAY, 2010

In 2008 members of World Wheelchair Express Foundation (WWEF) visited Cambodia. It was very apparent that we could assist the disabled community in sport endeavours; during this visit a plan was developed to support and unite disabled sport organizations in the area. Our recent visit included stops in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. We have been well received by Paralympic Associations in these countries and anticipate further co-operation improving the access to and calibre of wheelchair sport. Our main focus will be the sport of wheelchair racing.

The plan is to link programs in the region with the very powerful, experienced and successful Thai racing establishment. WWEF will provide wheelchair racing equipment, information, coaching and will assist in further development of national WC racing federations. This project requires the coordinated efforts of key individuals within the Asian sport community, as well as support from the private & corporate sectors.

With your support disabled persons in Asia can begin to live their dreams. Please contact us at: info@ultimatewcsports.com for further information or to make a donation to the Asia Project.

The Philippine Wheelchair Sports Project

WWEF has committed to provide wheelchair racing clinics in the Philippines for Filipino athletes involved in this program. The 1^st of these events took place in Tagaytay, January 17-20 2008. As part of the initial support of local athletes. 25 wheelchairs (Racing chairs, sport chairs, tires, cloves, etc) were introduced to local disabled athletes. The sports clinic was organized to offer opportunities for athletes to try out sports equipment and learn fundamental elements of the sport. As part of its initial support of local athletes, WEI cooperated with the Tagaytay based Philippine Paralympic Sports & Development Inc. (“PPSDI”), and the Philippine Paralympic Foundation and Sports Council for the Disabled, Inc.

August 2008, WWEF came back to the Philippines . Another sports clinic was held at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Manila . There were 55 disabled athletes at this event. We were able to distribute more wheelchair equipment/parts to athletes that are interested in sports. The focus was on teaching athletes proper pushing techniques and sitting positions. We were also able to share coaching and training principles.

We have successfully concluded of the first phase of our Philippine project and are very pleased with the success to date. There still is much work to do. Our plan is to return to the Philippines in the spring of 2009 to host another sports clinic, provide a coaching clinic and further develop community partnerships with government sports agencies, local clubs and municipalities. We are making efforts to integrate wheelchair racing athletes into able-bodied racing events in Manila.

All of our efforts hinge on our ability to provide equipment for these athletes. We require race chairs, sport chairs, daychairs & handcycles to donate to these athletes. PLEASE PASS THIS MESSAGE ONTO ANYONE YOU KNOW THAT MAY BE ABLE TO HELP AND CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE EQUIPMENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DONATE. CONTACT EMAIL ADDRESS : sje@telus.net

WWEF will assist in the hosting of several races each year. The 1st race has been a great success. In July of 2008 in Batangas some 30 wheelchair athletes contested the 10K distance in race chairs as well as sort and day chairs. Two or three more races throughout the year in varied locations are planned. Smaller scale competition between individual athletes and communities any time is encouraged. The culmination each year will be attendance at the Philippines Wheelchair National 10K Championships, tentatively scheduled for late 2009 in Manila. A National male and female champion will be crowned.

WWEF is pursuing a joint venture program to be called The Rotary Challenge. It is our hope that each Rotary chapter in the Philippines will support this program.

The registration fee, for each of the Rotary Chapters in the program funds: administration, record keeping for races, clinics & promotion of the program. All funds for administration of the Program by WWEF will be handled by a local director who is a Rotary member, and all accounting will be handled by an independent firm. Any excess funds in the WWEF administration account will be returned to the Clubs on a pro rata basis at the end of each year.

The balance of funds will go toward the purchase of racing wheelchairs manufactured in the Philippines, based on a prototype copy of a high tech sports racing chair made in North America. The new race chairs will be manufactured by the renowned “Tahanang Walang Hagdanan” (http://www.tahanangwalanghagdanan.org), and will be available to all Philippine athletes. Each race chair with cost 20,000P and can be purchased directly from Tahanang Walang Hagdanan as funds are raised. The target is two racing chairs in the first year for each club.

Each club is asked to choose disabled potential competitors from its district, transport and support training of athletes as needed, and be responsible for the equipment.

As athletes emerge that show the ability, commitment and sufficient progress to compete as elite athletes; they will be provided with a contemporary North American race chair.

It is our goal to work with Rotary and other groups to define those athletes that are committed to a life changing experience and a desire to compete in international events. With our experience, training, and appropriate equipment, we believe that this program can produce some of the world’s best disabled athletes.

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TAGAYTAY – WC SPORTS CLINIC
January 17-20, 2008

Courtesy call to Mayor Abraham Tolentino Mayor of Tagaytay City

Jan. 18th 9:00am Opening

National anthem of the Philippines
Opening prayer.
Welcome Address from the Mayor.
Opening messages Steve.
Starting of the Sports Clinic.
Lunch break 12:00 - 1:00pm.
Sports clinic.
4:00 pm closing.

Jan. 19th

9:00am Sports clinic
12:00 - 1:00pm Lunch
3:00 Basketball on wheels exhibition
4:30 Closing

Jan. 20th

9:00am Closing ceremonies.
Closing messages Governor Maliksi (representative)
Distribution of certificates & plaques
Distribution of the wheelchairs from Philippine Chamber of Commerce joint project of the Philippine Paralympic Sports & Development Inc.

THE CHAIRS ARRIVE!


LOCAL DIGNITARIES

EQUIPMENT CHALLENGES FOR TODAY'S FILIPINO ATHLETE

MEETING THE ATHLETES


TRAINING IN TAGAYTAY


ORIGINS OF THE PROJECT

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PHILIPPINE PARALYMPIC SPORTS & DEVELOPMENT, INC.

Officers and Board of Directors

President: Socorro Jabor - Bilateral leg amputee left below the knee, right above the knee, President also of the Federation of the Disabled in Cavite Province, and the Association of the Persons With Disabilities of Tagaytay City. Sport Pursuits: Wheelchair racing, Javelin Throw, Shot put, Discus Throw, Archery.

Vice President: Jing Caringal - Quadriplegic, Vice President of the Federation of the Disabled in Cavite Province and the Association of the Persons With Disabilities of Tagaytay City. Sport Pursuits: Wheelchair racing.

Secretary: Rico Arubio - Amputee left leg below the knee, Staff in the Municipality of Magallanes, Cavite. Sport Pursuits: Basketball, track & field.

Officers

Treasurer: Noel Bronce – Paraplegic – Sport Pursuits: Basketball, track & field.

Asst. Treasurer: David Gonzaga – Paraplegic - City Treasurer Municipality of Dasmarinas, Cavite.

Auditor: Jerwin Hilok - Bilateral left arm amputee – Sport Pursuits: Wheelchair racing, Javelin Throw, Discuss Throw, Shot put

P.R.O. : Freddie Pepito - Post polio

1st    District Wilfredo Quezon DSWD Provincial Office of Cavite
2nd   District Roderick Abunda DSWD Provincial Office of Cavite
3rd   District Tyrone Jay Ramos Epileptic Encoder Municipality of Amadeo, Cavite

Board of Directors

1. Mr. John Herrera
2. Sis. Roos Catry
3. Danilo Santos
4. Mercedita Tiamzon
5. Lorna Toledo
6. Carmi Ferma
7. Dr. Amado Enriquez
8. Atty Adolfo Casareno Legal Counselor

Mission of the Philippine Paralympic Sports & Development, Inc.

1. To provide the disabled a proper and organized venue for their skills and talents in sports and recreation activities with a view to enhancing their physical and mental development.

2. To initiate and organize sociocultural projects and activities which will awaken community consciousness and belonging.

3. To promote, enhance and foster the development and improvement of the quality of the life of the disabled through sports, livelihood projects and other economic activities.

4. To discover, train and develop the disabled and make them proficient, productive and help them in their integration into normal society.

5. To educate the public on the potentials of the handicapped and encourage the able to participate in the work of the organization as leaders or volunteer aides.

6. To promote the spirit of sportsmanship, foster closer fellowship and understanding among the handicapped and relate themselves easily with the abled person.

7. To contribute greatly to the general health, welfare and economy of our country.

8. To alleviate and improve the plight of the Filipino handicapped and the rehabilitation will progress.

9. To be always represented internationally by our contingents will foster better understanding and promote closer ties and goodwill with other nations and improve thus the image of our country.

10. To have international exchange of ideas will broaden our horizon and outlook in life and contribute to a better citizenship.

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PHILIPPINES PARALYMPIC HISTORY

Paralympics follow an international set of rules approved by an international body on sports for the handicapped with headquarters in Stoke Mandeville, Aylesbury, in England where the idea was originated by a world renowned authority and pioneer in treatment of spinal cord injury, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann.

The idea was then brought home by Fe Isaac Sano, and this concept was ably backed and supported by the late Dr. Benjamin Tamesis, Chief of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, of our foremost pioneers in Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation Medicine, Dr. Rene Santor & his late father, Gov. Alejo Santos, Pacita Madrigal & Rafael Yabut helped very much in developing the team.

Paralympic Foundation & Sports Council was founded in 1947 by the late Mrs. Fe IsaacSano, trained Occupational Therapist from England and was a former Chief of Occupational Therapy Department and Project Director of NOH Adapted Sports and Recreation. In 1948 a selected team of disabled athletes suffering from spinal cord injuries due to accident or disease, experimented on playing Basketball on Wheels.

Most of them were paraplegics or individual paralyzed from the waist down. International rules were became a part of the complex scheme on physical fitness and rehabilitation program of the handicapped. Sports then became a rehab prescription in the hospital, and an attractive and effective activity for the disabled.

Sports & recreation are adapted or modified to suit the disability level of the individual. The use of the sports aims to build up the handicapped socially, emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually and eventually economically.

Actually basketball is only one of the many sports that the athletes engage in. They can also engage in volleyball, archery, track & field like wheelchair race, discuss, shotput, javelin throwing, table tennis, weight lifting, and swimming. How they can manage to do all of these activities is summarized in three words faith, courage, and determination. And they have plenty of these virtues.

The first RP team competed in the International sports meet in Tokyo, Japan during the 1964 Olympic and they won their first International silver medal in wheelchair relay race. They were awarded a Plaque of distinction by the Phil. Sports Writers Association in the same ceremony where Flash Elorde was also honoured.

The PPFSCD is a member of the following international Sports organizations:

ISMWSF International Stoke Mandeville Wheelchair and Sports Federation

ISOD International Sports Organizations for the Disabled

IBSA International Blind Sports Organization

IPC International Paralympic Committee

FESPIC Far East South Pacific Games for the Disabled

FITA Federation Internationale de Tir a J"Arc

Member World Leisure and Recreation Association, Washington, DC

In December 1975, the First PHILYMPICS held at Marikina, The PPFSCI coordinated with the different rehabilitation agencies to participate in this game.

The same year our 2nd RP Paralympic team participated in the first Far East South Pacific Games for the Disabled (FESPIC) in Oita Japan from June 16. With 17 participants (1 female) who is me, Socorro Florentino Jabor, won 20 medals 9 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze. It won the Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos “Malaks At Maganda" Trophy and individual gold media for each team member in a fitting ceremony for all Asian athletes at the Fold Arts Center.

In 1977 they won the Basketball Championship in the 2nd Far East South Pacific Games for the Disabled in Maryland, Australia from Nov. 2226 with 15 participants, won 14 medals, 6 silver and 8 bronze in other sports events like track and field and swimming. The Paralympians won the championship in 2nd Division Basketball against Singapore and New Zealand.

The Paralympic Team won the 1978 Disabled Group of the Year Apolinario Mabini Rehabilitation Award, a counterpart of TOYM and sponsored by the National Foundation for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled was conceptualized by the Fe Isaac Sano in line with the NOH program on the rehabilitation of the disabled.

The Second PHILYMPICS held in Cebu City. More disabled athletes participated in those games, mostly from the Visayas and Mindanao.

In 1982, the 3rd PHILYMPICS held in Ultra, Pasig with the Phil. Foundation for the Rehabilitation of Disabled, Inc. as the lead agency. The 3rd FESPIC Games in Surakata, Hong Kong from Oct. 31 November 7, they won 35 medals; 14 gold, 11 silver, 8 bronze.

In 1986, the fourth FESPIC Games in Surakarta, Indonesia from Aug. 30Sept. 8 with 13 participants winning 10 gold, 12 silver and 8 bronze medals.

In 1987, the Paralympians participated in the Sports fest in Okinawa, Japan. It was in the same year that the Paralympians awarded by President Corazon Aquino as the Most Outstanding Disabled Group of the Year with gold medals and cash award in a ceremony at Malacanang Palace.

In Oct. 1988, the Philippines participated for the first time in the 8th Summer Paralympics Games held in Seoul, South Korea. Two Paralympians joined the 8th International Wheelchair Marathon competition in Oita, Japan. Since then on the Philippine Paralympic Foundation and Sports Council for the Disabled, Inc. participates yearly.

The ROTRYLYMPICS was conceptualized in 1980 by the Rotary Club of Diliman with the Technical Assistance of the Philippine Paralympic Foundation and Sports Council for the Disabled, Inc. From the start the ROTARYMPICS Games were conducted by Prof. Lydia Buendia with Technical Committee of the PPF_SCI, headed by Prof. Mercedita S. Tiamzon with members: Sister Roos Catry, ICM, Mrs. Brenda L. Paterno, Col. Buenaventura A. Valencia and Mr. Ramon M. Gonzalez.

The same year, the Technical Committee of the Paralympic Foundation and Sports Council for the Disabled, Inc., put up a rule book following international rules and regulations on different sports events for the disabled person for the Rotary Club of the Diliman and became the basis for tournaments called Rotarympics, to which also the committee worked from 19812000 in conducting the yearly Rotarympics, the signature project of the Rotary Club of Diliman and serves as the clearing house for the selection of disabled athletes for international sports competitions.

Likewise in 1989, the 5th FESPIC Games in Kobe, Japan from Sept. 1520. There were 14 participants and brought home 12 medals; 4 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze.

Dec. 27 - 31 1990 FESPIC Regional Workshop on Sports for Physically disabled, organized by Hong Kong Sports Organization. This was attended by Mrs. Fe IsaacSano, Dr. Oscar Capulong, Dr. Suntay and Mrs. Pureza Aguilar.

In 1992 FESPIC Regional Workshop for the Physically Disabled in Guanzon, China, this was attended by Dr. Oscar Capulong, Mrs. Fe IsaacSano, and Dr. Suntay.

With the untimely death of the founder, Mrs. Fe IsaacSano, M.A.O.T., in 1993, a special Board Election was held and eventually elected Dr. Rene Santos as the President & Chairman of the Board.

In 1993, one marathoner participated in Vietnam International Marathon and Sports for the Disabled in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In 1994, 6th FESPIC Games, Beijing, China. The Foundation sent 28 participants and they won 1 gold and 1 bronze medals. The Philippines, represented by the Foundation, ranked 18th place among the 40 participating countries, the biggest FESPIC Games participation.

In 1995, a Seminar on Sports & Recreation for the Disabled was conducted in the Alejo Santos Hall, Santos compound at 12 BMA Avenue, Quezon City on Oct. 1314. The Seminar theme was "Sports and Recreation for the Disabled Towards Philippines 2000." At the same year FESPIC Medical Classification a Coaching Workshop in Seoul which was attended by Dr. Adrian Quidlat and Mrs. Brenda Paterno. From Oct. 30 Nov. 4, the CPISRA Conference and Sports Workshop in Hong Kong was attended by Prof. Mercedita Tiamzon.

In 1996, the 2nd participation in VIETNAM INTERNATIONAL MARATHON and SPORTS FOR THE DISABLED in Hanoi, Vietnam. Our amputee badminton players were accompanied by Col. Buenaventura Valencia. Also 3 officials of the Foundation, Col. Buenaventura Valencia, Danilo Santos, Prof. Mercedita Tiamzon joined the Philippine delegation to the PreParalympic Congress in Atlanta Georgia from Aug. 1216 in Marriot Hotel. Two track athletes, Crisostomo Yao and Juanito Mingarine were accredited by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to participate in the Paralympic Atlanta, Georgia. But the official accreditation was sent late, so the 2 athletes were unable to travel to Atlanta for the Paralympic competition.

Nov. 17, 1998, the PPF_SCI participated in the International Conference on "Athletes with Disability" in the Australia Institute of Sports, at Canberra, Australia attended by Col. Buenaventura Valencia, Mrs. Brenda Paterno, and Mr. Danilo Santos.

7th FESPIC Games in Bangkok, Thailand Jan. 1016, 1999. Twelve athletes participated and won 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medals. Among the 34 countries which competed, the Philippines ranked 21st place. Also the Foundation conducted a Seminar/Workshop in Paper Craft for members.

Nov. 23-24, 2000, the Secretary General Prof. Mercedita Tiamzon conducted Camping for the Blind in Hermosa Bataan with Ephpheta Trainees as participants.

Sept 22-23, 2001, Recreation & Livelihood Workshop for the Blind Trainees of EPHPheta Foundation Inc.

Oct. 14-15 2001. Workshop on Adapted Physical Education and Sports for the Physical Education Teachers in Antipolo City. Oct. 2121 Campinc for the Blind in Hermosa Bataan.

Nov. 11, 2001, The 21st Oita International Marathon in Oita, Japan.

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