Gayle and Greg Edwards

In a west Eugene warehouse, Gayle and Greg Edwards display a few of the 30-plus donated orthopedic wheelchairs that they will personally deliver to the Mexican state of Baja California Sur this summer. In 2002, the Edwards founded Mobilize Mankind, a non-profit devoted to finding used orthepedic equipment and bringing it to children with physical challenges and limited resources. "The key word is recycling," says Greg. "A lot of outgrown equipment is sitting around in garages." An adventurous pair, both of whom had lived and worked in South America, the Edwards met in Eugene, married in 1991, and ran an English school in the Czech Republic for nine years. On their return, Gayle resumed her career as a physical therapist. She learned of the dire need for orthepedic equipment in impoverished areas on a trip to China in 2001. In cooperation with Baja Sur agencies and charities, Mobilize Mankind has supplied 250 kids with specialized wheelchairs, and brought orthepedic equipment to five schools. "We have committed for 10 years," says Gayle. Learn more at mobilizemankind.org.

happening people photograph and story by Paul Neevel Eugene Weekly / 8 June 2006