Equipment
Feature
Upcycling UK disability equipment to improve support for people in Romania
Three UK occupational therapists describe their work with a project in Transylvania , which uniquely offers a loan service for upcycled disability equipment , together with ongoing support to vulnerable people .
W
e read with interest the article in January ’ s issue , highlighting the work of PhysioNet , which upcycles and re-distributes disability equipment from the UK to many low- and medium-income countries ( Nagy 2022 ).
We have been involved in a similar project , over a similar timeframe , that has focused primarily on delivering equipment and developing services in the Southeastern Transylvanian area of Romania . However , a different model is used , in that a loans scheme provides an opportunity for ongoing recycling , thus reaching a greater number of beneficiaries and a means of building rapport and relationships with recipients to offer ongoing support .
Transylvania suffered extreme deprivation under its previous political regime . Historically there is a culture of a passive existence for disabled people , who were not considered of any value to the state , with independence and purposeful occupation seen as inappropriate goals for them .
The area has both Romanian and Hungarian speaking communities , as well as Romany villages , with numerous dialects spoken . Many of those with a disability are very poor , marginalised and uneducated .
Family caregivers receive little or no support from local social care services and the concepts of rehabilitation and independent living appears poorly understood in more rural areas .
A partnership approach
We work through a UK charity , Belief in Action , and partner with a Romanian registered charity , Hope Without Limits , which is based in Săcele , near Braşov .
We began , in 2004 , by supporting the efforts of Hope Without Limits to identify and assist those with a disability who were often hidden in family homes and rarely seen accessing the local community .
We facilitated groups of healthcare professionals and other volunteers on trips to provide assessment of individuals and education and training in disability awareness for the volunteer workforce of Hope Without Limits .
From these trips it quickly became clear that a lack of disability equipment was a major problem in encouraging independence , mobility and participation in daily life activities ; so we began collecting equipment that was no longer needed and sending it out to Transylvania .
Furthermore , to help fund the transportation we began importing high-quality Transylvanian honey to sell in the UK to friends and networks . This has helped support local master beekeepers in Transylvania , while raising the profile in the UK of the work in Romania through the distribution of a unique and high quality product .
Setting up a loan scheme
We fully concur with the author ’ s observations about the lack of a pathway for returned equipment in the UK and the concurrent unavailability of it in countries such as Romania , particularly to those who are poor ( Nagy 2022 ). Both aspects are disappointing and need addressing .
Meanwhile , we try to get unwanted items to where they are most needed . Through word of mouth , partnership with a major equipment supplier and a local wheelchair service , along with an improved understanding by all involved of the need to reduce waste and avoid landfill , Belief in Action has been transporting ever-increasing
36 OTnews June 2022