Heartaching disabled Dane sets up wheelchair charity

The future looked bright for Brian Jensen. He had just finish his educations as a blacksmith when an accident left him disabled and reliant on a wheelchair. Brian turned the accident into an opportunity and over the next 24 years, he build a new career for himself in the business for equipment for disabled people.

Five years ago Brian Jensen moved to Thailand six months per year. Here it moved him deeply to see, how many Thais with a handicap had no means to buy any form of aid to help them with their restricted mobility.

 

Something must be done

“It broke my heart seeing all of these disabled Thais without any form of transportation or the hope of one day getting a wheelchair” says Brian Jensen. So with over 20 years of experience in the business he came up with the idea for a charity project to help them.

In 2010 there were 461.344 people in Thailand who were mobility-disabled or suffered from reduced mobility. Many of these will never be able to afford the cost of a wheelchair of western standard and many of them are not able either to have a job and earn any money because of their lack of transportation.

“I want to provide these people with a quality wheelchair. With mobility comes a hope that one day they will have a job and earn their own money,” says Brian Jensen.

 

Help wanted

Though Brian has already arranged for 30 wheelchairs a year from Herning municipality and organized free freight to Thailand, he still appeals for more help.

“Being on early retirement and in a wheelchair myself, I do not have a fortune nor can I do everything myself, so any kind of help is greatly appreciated,” says Brian and explains how he could use a pair of hands to help with e.g. minor fix-ups or the delivery of spare parts to the users. Brian is also hopeful that somebody will support his charity.

“I need some funds to rent a place for a repair shop and storage of wheelchairs. I also need funds to buy all the spare parts and tools. Many cannot even afford to buy a new tire, and I want everything to be absolutely free, so everyone can be helped,” says Brian Jensen, adding that if a company donates money they will get a free banner-ad on the upcoming website.

 

By the book

Thailand being ranked 102nd out of 177 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index Brian Jensen wants everything to be transparent and handled by Danes or at least Scandinavians.

“In this country everyone is out to hustle you, and there should be no doubt where the money goes or who receives the charity,” says Brian Jensen and tells that he has partnered up with a Danish attorney, who is helping him set up a paypal account in the charity’s name, so the money is not transferred to his own private account.

To spread the word about the charity Brian is on the verge of launching a website and will also use his network in Thailand and Facebook. If you are interested in helping Brian out, you can contact him at [email protected]