| What are Happy Crutches? | |||
| Happy Crutches,
Wacky Walkers & Wheelie Cool Wheechairs are standard, useful walkers,
crutches and wheelchairs that have been decorated to be fun and beautiful. Decoration ranges from formal and sophisticated to grandiose and truly “wacky.” The intention is that each walker or wheelchair or set of crutches have it’s own distinct and attractive personality. |
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| Why Happy Crutches? | |||
| Users of institutional
walking aids often feel self conscious about using the devices in
public. There is also a tendency for other people to look away from
people using a wheelchair or crutches, indirectly isolating the individual
using the aid. When a person goes out with Happy Crutches, rather than being politely shunned, they become the focus of curiosity and friendly comments and questions. The user is carrying with them their own personal conversational object. This creates a feeling of involvement for the user and makes the community more generally open and comfortable with people who require mobility aids. |
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| How
did it get started? |
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| It all started
with Carol Yotsuda’s knee surgeries... which required use of
a wheelchair, then walker then crutches. Carol is an artist in a community
of artists, so of course they could not leave these new “canvases”
alone. Spearheaded by Rocky Riedel, soon the wheelchair and other
items were decorated with paints, sequins, streamers, horns and anything
else Rocky could think of. Carol started to notice a big change in the reactions she got when she ventured out with her new Happy Crutches. Rather than being ignored in the best “don’t stare at the crippled person” momma’s admonition, people of all ages were coming up and talking with her. The Happy Crutches provided a more positive healing experience for Carol and brought joy and compassion into the lives of everyone she met. |
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| Who
is involved? |
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| The crutches,
walkers and wheel-chairs are decorated by youths, seniors, and the
physical and mentally challenged working together under the tutelage
of artists. This provides an opportunity for these three groups to
learn from each other, support each other, and have fun together. Whenever possible, the decorating sessions are held in outdoor loca-tions accessible to the community and general public. In this case, the decorating is open to all who wish to participate. |
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| Who benefits? |
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| The decorated devices will be sold at modest cost to those who require them. Some of the “decorator crutches” will be auctioned off at a gala fundraiser for the Kaua’i Community Arts, Education and Technology Center, the Imagination Destination. The Imagination Destination will be a self-supporting center for art, theater, music, television, educational programs and technology to benefit Kaua’i residents and visitors. | |||
| Who are we and how is it
funded? |
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| Happy Crutches & Wacky Walkers & Wheelie Cool Wheelchairs is a community service project of the Garden Island Arts Council, a 501.3 c nonprofit corporation. Crutches, walkers and wheelchairs are created from donated materials from the American Cancer Society, Kaua’i Hospice, Kaua’i Recycling Center, and individuals like yourself. Members of the Rotary Clubs have volunteered to work on the project; others are invited to participate in any way they can. | |||
We are pleased to announce that Happy Crutches & Wacky Walkers & Wheelie Cool Wheelchairs has received a “Mo’ Bettah Together” grant from the Hawaii Community Foundation – Gwenfread Elaine Allen Fund and Annie Sinclair Knudsen Fund. |
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| How can I help? |
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| Donate crutches, walkers, and wheelchairs in good condition, money for supplies and lunch tickets for our hard workers as well as donations to compensate the artist/mentors who will provide the artistic quality control with each team of decorators. | |||
| We also appreciate offers of transportation for the youths and seniors. Or just sign up to come and decorate! | |||
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