Afya attrracts volunteers from Columbia University: Danielle Butin, Afya's founder, stands in front of a small portion of donated hard goods slated for repair and adjustment by Columbia University's Occupational Therapy students.

Wheelchair Rescue effort gains momentum:
20 Occupational Therapy students from Columbia University volunteered their Saturday to participate in a daylong wheelchair rescue and repair effort. Led by Occupational Therapy faculty members, including the department chair, students engaged in an intensive hand on workshop in wheelchair and positioning chair repair.

Repairs on chairs go a long long way:
Riverside Health Care System co-sponsored the event and donated 20 adult wheelchairs. Students repaired these chairs and additional pediatric equipment that was donated by Blyethdale Children’s Hospital. Columbia faculty reviewed each piece of equipment for safety, then placed Post-It notes outlining the repairs required to guide each group of students.

Columbia OT students build knowledge:
Seat depths were adjusted, angles of seat belts defined, leg rests repaired and supports devices were installed to provide greater stability.  Students learned to problem solve and adapt through challenging circumstances. 

Expertise from Columbia faculty builds capability:
Each completed piece of equipment was numbered and entered into a database, logging the repairs completed. This will allow Afya to follow-up at the final destination sites.