Giving mobility to world’s poor

Dr. Michael Bayer didn’t anticipate finding a new career in the slums of Chennai, India, six years ago.

The Corona del Mar resident was a practicing orthopedic surgeon when he went on a medical mission with Mariners Church and volunteered to help fellow parishioner Don Schoendorfer distribute four wheelchairs he had constructed in his garage to the disabled poor.

The duo returned weeks later to co-found the Free Wheelchair Mission.

“After giving out the first wheelchair to a little girl lying on a dirt floor in a tiny hut, I was just really touched,” Bayer said.

“She just lit up like the sun rose inside of her, and I’ve never forgotten that first wheelchair.”

Bayer had countless parallel stories to share, adding that he takes at least three international trips each year to distribute wheelchairs.

“If I ever start to get burnt out, I just go on a trip and I am ready to work for another year,” he said.

“There are times I miss being a surgeon, but I decided I could make a more dramatic difference in my life by helping the disabled poor.”

On Tuesday, the nonprofit will hold its fourth annual Magic of Mobility Celebration in Costa Mesa, with the goal of raising $1.2 million — enough for 27,027 wheelchairs.

Since 2001, the organization has shipped more than 250,000 chairs to 64 countries, including India, Peru and Zimbabwe.

The event will include cocktails, cuisine as well as a presentation by Schoendorfer on the group’s current programs and some of the latest wheelchair recipients.

The presentation will be followed by a live auction of shipping containers, in which guests bid on containers full of wheelchairs to be sent to the developing world. Last year, the auction drew actors Jim Carrey and Jenny McCarthy, who made a considerable contribution.

Based on Schoendorfer’s design, each wheelchair kit includes a lawn chair, bicycle wheels, a simple frame, 8-inch caster wheels and a few miscellaneous parts. The chairs are assembled upon delivery, costing $44.40 a piece, including shipping.

“I don’t know anything else that can change someone’s life so dramatically for just $44.40,” Bayer said.

“There are 100 million people in the world who need wheelchairs right now but are too poor to afford them.”

Without wheelchairs, Bayer said many people the organization distributes to would have to crawl or be carried from place to place, though the majority are bedridden.

He recalled meeting a 67-year-old Vietnamese woman who had not left her bed in 17 years before receiving her wheelchair.

“It’s just overwhelming giving people the opportunity to go to school, to go to church — the opportunity to do so many things they couldn’t do before,” he said.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: Magic of Mobility Celebration

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: The Turnip Rose, 1901 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa

COST: $150

INFO: To learn more about the Free Wheelchair Mission or to purchase tickets, go to www.freewheelchairmission.org or call (949) 273-8470.