Basma is a mother of six who just moved to our metro-Detroit community last month from Kandahar in Afghanistan. She has a condition called pterygium in her eye. This causes scarring from long-standing irritation.
Basma suffers from daily redness, tearing and drainage from her eyes.
Wheels for Change physician volunteer Dr. Ali graciously did a home visit, diagnosed the condition and prescribed eye drops to give her relief. After explaining what her options for treatment were, he gave her a referral to see a cornea specialist at Kellogg Eye Center at the University of Michigan.
Thanks to your generous donations, Wheels for Change also purchased a supply of the eye drops for Basma, arranged for her follow up appointment at Kellogg Eye Center, and worked to coordinate transportation with her case worker as Basma and her husband do not have a car.
We were also able to help with providing clothes and school supplies for Basma’s kids, and a sewing kit for Basma to help the family take their first steps to self-sufficiency through a means of livelihood that could support the family.
Meet Basma
Given that family members range in age from infants to the elderly, they have varied medical needs that pose multiple barriers to resettlement including social, cultural, linguistic, and economic. Of all the barriers to resettlement, it is unmet medical needs due to lack of medical screening and immunization and untreated chronic illnesses associated with the trauma of the situation in their countries of origin, that are the most life-threatening.
Objective
As Wheel Changers, we strive to improve the health of our newly resettled community members by providing access to medical care. The goal of our healthcare initiative is to provide assistance with the initial transition until care is established with a medical provider.
We help with Medicaid applications, providing coupons to buy infant formula, home pregnancy tests, sanitary pads, assistance with appointment scheduling, etc
With the help of dedicated physician and nurse volunteers we also organize home visits and health workshops.
We need your help!
Please donate generously.
Refugee Healthcare Service
Help Us!