Apiradee Treerutkuarkul meets a road crash victim in Phrae determined to build a career and help others

Technician Somsak Prongkham was left unable to walk following a road accident 13 years ago, but he remained determined to continue his career and help other disabled people at the same time.

He assembles materials to produce cheap tailor-made wheelchairs and accessories from his home in Phrae's Den Chai district. In doing so, he not only can support his family, but can also help other people with disabilities enjoy independence.

"The wheelchair is like legs for the disabled. We cannot do anything or go anywhere without one," he said.

"Being disabled and a technician myself, I always thought that some day I would produce a wheelchair which makes disabled persons feel comfortable and enable them to get out and about."

Mr Somsak's dream came true, and his business is doing very well, with orders mostly from northern provinces. One particularly lucrative customer is Phrae Hospital, which this month wants him to produce 53 tailor-made chairs.

Despite the state policy on free artificial limbs and wheelchairs for the disabled, many of these people feel very much left out of society, often struggling to find jobs.

Too often they have to stay at home and end up as a burden to their families and to society.

It wasn't until two years after Mr Somsak's accident that he found out about occupation training for the disabled.

Supported by Phrae Hospital, he participated in the programme and came up with his tailor-made wheelchair idea. By receiving out-of-order wheelchairs donated from the Sirindhorn Foundation and a 50,000 baht fund from the Lions Club, Mr Somsak and his team learned to design and modify different kinds of wheelchairs suitable for different lifestyles and disabilities.

Made of iron and chromium, a typical movable chair mounted on large wheels is suitable for home use, while the lighter bicycle-like wheelchair with a shift gear is suitable for outdoor use. Prices range from 5,000 baht to 7,000 baht, depending on the design and materials used.

The Somsak-designed wheelchairs are cheaper, fashioned to the individual's circumstances and often more durable compared to standard ones with similar prices available in the market. This is because they are made and sold without a profit motive.

"I feel happy and very proud when seeing disabled people using my wheelchairs and enjoying a better quality of life," he said.

Over 2,000 people in the province are now using his wheelchairs and other mobility aids, such as artificial legs and walkers.

Somchai Uansiri, a 34-year-old resident of Den Chai, said he rode one of Mr Somsak's modified tricycles to work at a fruit stall in the market.

"Of course I am happy, because I can make a living without having to bother my family," he said.

Wachara Chaikaew, head of the rehabilitation medicine at Phrae Hospital, said the rehabilitation project for people with disabilities was initiated in 1999. More than 10,000 disabled people of all ages in the province receive not only wheelchairs, but also healthcare support and initial funds for education and occupational training.

Deputy secretary-general of the National Health Security Office Weerawat Pankrut said an estimated 185 million baht was earmarked for 236,594 disabled people under the universal healthcare scheme, allowing for similar rehabilitation programmes to be offered in other state hospitals this year.

Bangkok Post, Tuesday September 16, 2008