Paralyzed woman receives wheelchair after community-bonding event between ANA, ANP

ZHARAY DISTRICT, KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan - A ceremonial event by
the Afghan security forces to give over a new wheelchair to a paralyzed
woman, turned into a community-building event among the Afghan security
forces, village elders and village residents in Kharut in eastern Zharay
district, Nov. 11.
    The Female Engagement Team from Combined Task Force Spartan's
2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, identified a woman during their
visit to the village six days prior. Female Engagement Teams are assets
in U.S. Army units that are comprised of all female Soldiers, who work
with Afghan women in a culture where men are prohibited from interacting
with women, searching them, or asking them questions.
    The woman was paralyzed from the waist down, and was resigned to
crawling throughout her house. A non-profit organization known as Free
Wheelchair Mission built and donated the wheelchair, which consists of a
plastic chair with large rubberized wheels on each side. The Free
Wheelchair Mission has shipped an additional 300 chairs for distribution
in Zharay and Maiwand districts. The wheelchairs provide a critical
lifeline of hope for paralyzed villagers or amputees who suffered bodily
damage from landmines or improvised explosive devices.
    Afghan police officers who accepted the wheelchair from
coalition forces, met with village elders and the local mullah from
Kharut, who offered chai and wanted to discuss recent events in the
area. Afghan Soldiers who also accompanied the group, joined with the
police officers to conduct a prayer and then proceeded to deliver the
wheelchair.
    The commander of coalition forces in the area, Lt. Col. Gregory
Anderson, said that the villagers were very amiable to the gift of the
wheelchair, and wanted to pass along the gesture to more disabled
village residents in the area.
    "The feelings of gratitude from the villagers were palpable,"
said Lt. Col. Anderson. "They expressed genuine appreciation for the
thoughtful gesture."
    Lt. Col. Anderson also said the Afghan Soldiers on site wanted
to extend their mission to allow for a mutual evening prayer with the
villagers.