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This past June, Whirlwind Chief Engineer Ralf Hotchkiss and experienced Whirlwind trainer and Physical Therapist Patty Ruppelt traveled to Amman, Jordan to teach a workshop at the Al-Hussein Society (AHS) funded by Chicago-based Center for International Rehabilitation. AHS is a comprehensive rehabilitation center for children with physical disabilities where wheelchairs and medical, physical, and occupational therapy services are provided.

The goal of the training was the responsible transfer of the Whirlwind kids’ wheelchair, called the ChiQi^™ to local therapists and technicians. Seventy ChiQi^™and adult Whirlwind wheelchairs had

been manufactured in India at Worth Trust and shipped to AHS. Fifteen physical and occupational therapists and rehabilitation technicians from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine participated in the workshop.

During the training, participants disussed and practiced wheelchair assessment, evaluation, aznd fitting. The ChiQi^™ wheelchair adjusts to grow with a child and offers great mobility opportunities

for children who are active and do not need extra postural support.

The immediate future goal of the Whirlwind kids’ project is to provide options for children who need extra supportive seating in order to participate fully in family, school, and community life. We hope to continue our relationship with AHS as the future project develops.