A life-changing trip to Africa drove Dr. Don Schoendorfer to launch Free Wheelchair Mission, bringing mobility and transformation to the world’s underserved.
Dr. Don Schoendorfer’s incredible journey from the dusty roads of Morocco to the design labs of an MIT-trained engineer has been driven by compassion, innovation, and divine purpose. His mission has led to the awarding of an AARP Purpose Prize, and in this interview, we uncover the unique threads of his life that bring mobility, dignity, and hope to those often overlooked.
What specific experiences or observations during your vacation in Morocco inspired you to address the issue of mobility for people with disabilities?
During a trip to Morocco in 1979, Dr. Schoendorfer witnessed a shocking scene of a woman crawling on the ground, struggling to cross a dirt road. This image stayed with him for 20 years until he decided to take action and help those in need of mobility.
Want more info?
His book “Miracle Wheels: The Story of the Mission to Bring Mobility to the World” can be found on Amazon.
Get involved or donate at FreeWheelchairMission.org.
Learn more and watch the dramatic video of his story here.
Click the link to learn about AARP’s Purpose Prize Program.
NaBeela Washington, an emerging Black writer, holds a Master’s in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University and Bachelor’s in Visual Advertising from The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has been published in Eater, The Cincinnati Review, and others. Learn more at nabeelawashington.com.
Photos by Free Wheelchair Mission
