Experience Guatemala:
WHEELCHAIRS FOR CHILDREN COMBINED WITH
CULTURAL AND NATURAL HISTORY ADVENTURE

Medical Mission and Adventure Trip
Approved for 16.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits
March 2-9, 2019

A wheelchair can affect the life of a disabled child in a profoundly positive way!

About the Wilderness and Travel Medicine Wheelchair Delivery Project and CME course:

The project takes place in the charming city of Antigua and a village near the very beautiful Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Most families in Guatemala are financially unable to purchase a wheelchair for their disabled child. The purpose for this medical mission is to provide specially constructed and fitted wheelchairs to disabled children in this country.

It is estimated that at least 100 million children and adults worldwide are in need of a wheelchair but cannot afford one. Some international organizations have shown that the number could be as high as 6% of the population in some developing countries. A wheelchair can truly make a profound and life-changing difference in the life of a child. This week-long medical mission trip was designed so that physicians of all specialties, along with their families and guests can take an active role in the wheelchair delivery. Every participant on this trip will be involved in this project. The entire team will experience the joy of personally fitting and delivering the wheelchairs to disabled children.

The children are selected and escorted to the wheelchair factory by our partner Hope Haven. They come from homes around the entire country and are accompanied by their families to the wheelchair fitting location.

This Guatemala medical mission is a non-profit trip.  The $500.00 of the cost of the trip provides two wheelchairs and transportation for the recipients and their families to the fitting site. Each attendee will be “sponsoring” all of the costs for two children. You will be personally involved fitting and delivering the wheelchair to these children. Absolutely no previous experience in wheelchair fitting is necessary because expert technicians will be on site to instruct you and guide you every step of the way as you fit the wheelchair to the child. We have planned two separate days for wheelchair fittings during our trip.

This trip also includes Wilderness and Travel Medicine CME and exploration of some of the fantastic scenery and culture in this charming and beautiful part of Guatemala!

Our hope is that this short term medical mission trip will increase the awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities, and also promote the joy of giving and serving!

Day 1 – Arrive in Antigua. Check into our hotel. CME lecture followed by a welcome group dinner.

Day 2 – Half day guided walking tour of Antigua. We will explore one of the most enjoyable and walkable cities on earth visiting 16th century monuments such as Saint Catalina Arch, Capuchins Convent, and La Merced Church which adjoins the local hospital. Visit local markets in the afternoon. CME lecture followed by a group dinner.

Day 3 – Wheelchair seating at Hope Haven factory. We will meet the families of children who have been selected to receive a wheelchair and adjust the wheelchairs to fit each individual child. Lunch at the factory. Late afternoon CME lecture followed by a group dinner.

Day 4 – Drive to Lake Atitlan and check into our hotel. Afternoon boat tour with a visit to two Indian villages. CME lecture followed by a group dinner.

Day 5 – Second day of wheelchair seating, this time in Solol. You will meet new families and feel like you are a pro as you assess and seat the children you meet. Lunch included. CME lecture followed by a group dinner.

Day 6 – Visit the famous indigenous markets at Chichicastenango and return to Antigua. Check into hotel. CME lecture followed by a group dinner.

Day 7 – Guided hike on Picaya Volcano. Hikers will return in early afternoon and have time to further explore Antigua. CME lecture followed by a farewell group dinner.

Day 8 – Departure. Group will depart for home or an optional post-trip excursion.