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Rotary Students Seek Disability Awareness By BRIGETTA E. OVERCASH
Manuella Leemann and Maureen Herzig have traveled for five months through eight states connecting with one Rotary Club after another. They will return to Switzerland after another month of travel through Ontario and Massachusetts, and will be attending university in the fall with a renewed view of the world. There is only one difference in the futures of Ms. Leemann and Ms. Herzig, who have raised enough money through donations to send 1,200 wheelchairs to the disabled in Brazil, India, Mexico, Swaziland and Turkey — Ms. Leemann will continue her life from her own wheelchair. Four years ago, Ms. Leemann was accepted as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. However, a freak accident while competing in an obstacle race changed her life forever. ‘‘I always wanted to come to the United States. I don’t know why, maybe the language,’’ said the 19-year-old, who has been in Jamestown for several days. ‘‘I met some Americans at home and they were so open. ‘‘America is the most wheelchair accessible country in the world,’’ she said, describing the ease of her travel here. ‘‘It is easy to get around here.’’ The team of energetic young women toured the United States through the efforts of Rick Russell, a Rotarian in Florida, who was contacted by a Swiss Rotary counselor for the two girls. After he began arranging their cross-country trip, he read about the international program to supply wheelchairs to the needy. Russell named the girls the M&M Exchange and coupled Ms. Leemann’s success story with the project’s need. The threesome’s original goal was to raise enough money to buy 120 wheelchairs — a goal that has been met tenfold. Through the support of Corporate America, Wheelchair Foundation and Rotary the unrealized dream of the bright and engaging quadriplegic has been met. Ms. Herzig, who has participated in two previous short-term Rotary youth exchanges to Illinois and Texas, has been Ms. Leemann’s companion and caretaker throughout the trip. Before arriving in Western New York, the two traveled to Florida, Texas, California, Arizona, Colorado and Ohio. Local Rotarians facilitated their visit to the Chautauqua area, coordinating handicap accessible housing with The Resource Center. Some of the duo’s observations of America were shared during an impromptu lunch Friday with area Rotarians and staff members at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute. ‘‘It really surprised me — people are so religious here. They go every week,’’ Ms. Leemann said. ‘‘In Switzerland people go to church on Christmas.’’ ‘‘Everything is bigger here,’’ Ms. Herzig said, referring to the spatial differences between the countries. ‘‘Exchange students who come here are dependent on their host families. At home you can just go out and go places,’’ she continued, referencing the convenient public transportation in her homeland. Other differences the pair found to be of interest were more the sugar-based diets of Americans and the restrictions placed on young people in this country. ‘‘There is much less alcohol abuse over there,’’ Ms. Herzig said, ‘‘It’s terrible here. We grow up with it and people don’t drink too get drunk.’’ Both young women said Americans are very friendly. Ms. Leemann said being handicapped is less obvious in this country because of the increased number of people and greater accessibility. ‘‘At home people look at me because they don’t see as many people in wheelchairs, especially young ones.,’’ Ms. Leemann said. ‘‘I have my bad times, but it helps to do things. It’s amazing the kind of friends and family you have and how that helps.’’ In appreciation of the opportunities offered them, the women are sharing their success by honoring the many Rotarians
