A wheelchair was the last wish of Ernie Reyes, 53, of San Antonio Valley 3, Brgy. San Antonio, Parañaque City after he went through an operation because on throat cancer last February, which unfortunately, was unsuccessful.  After his discharge from the hospital, Reyes has been confined in their small living room.  A wheelchair will, at least, make him mobile inside their house.

When his son, John Peter, learned that RC Parañaque Metro South (RCPMS) provides wheelchairs, he wrote a letter to Real Good President Pol Casale and requested one for his father.  “I’ve learned that your good office is providing wheelchairs for those in need,” the young Reyes’ said in his letter.  After personally visiting the Reyes famiy, RGP Pol immediately coordinated with DG Boyet Limon under the D3830 “Gabayan ang Nangangailangan” program, which provides for wheelchairs from the donations of the Rotary Club of Makati Bel-Air and One World Foundation as facilitated by PP Charo Yu, the D3830 Chair for the Elderly and Disabled.

On September 18, RGP Pol together with PP Fred Jacob, Rtns. Eli Bercasio, Bren del Rosario, Jennie Magalang, Aida Ramos and Ellen Ramos turned over a brand new  wheelchair to Reyes.  The Reyes family held back their tears as RGP Pol assisted Ernie to sit on his new wheelchair.  Unable to speak, Ernie showed his appreciation to the Rotarians with a very expressive thumbs-up gesture.  The next day, however, Reyes passed away but left a lasting smile on his face.

Another Wheelchair for a Disabled Barber

In a similar activity, RCPMS also donated a wheelchair, under the same D3830 program, to disabled barber Dick Camatoy of Lupang Hinirang, also in Brgy. San Antonio, as a replacement to a broken one.  Camatoy got his first wheelchair from RCPMS PP Alex Fuentebella.

In a letter to the office of Brgy. San Antonio, Camatoy said: “Paumanhin po sa konting abala.  Kasi po may sira na ‘yung wheelchair ko na galing din sa Rotary Club. Kasi ang sabi sa akin pag nasira na ibalik lang daw sa kanila tapos papalitan nila ng bago. Baka pwede na kayo na lang ang gumawa ng paraan para makarating sa office ng Rotary Club kasi po wala akong kakilala doon.”

But since Brgy. San Antonio’s chairman is also RGP Pol, Camatoy got an almost instant response.  He received a new wheelchair last Sep. 17 in simple ceremonies at the Mocha Blend in BF Homes Subdivision where RCPMS meets regularly.