The Man In The Wheelchair

Every time we visit the children at Tree of Life the road we take is always accompanied by a man in a wheelchair without legs. He always sparked my interest each time we passed and one day I said aloud that I wanted to know his story. Ginette was driving at the time and nonchalantly said ok. We turned the car around, got Alex's video equipment ready, and headed toward the unknown.

Ginette approached the man and asked him in creole if it would be okay if we could interview him and take a few photos. He happily agreed and invited us back to his home. We offered to give him a ride after learning his house was a long way down the road but he refused and we watched him wheel all the way back home on the pothole infested and bumpy road. It was hard sitting in the car watching him wheel in front of us because I had the strongest urge to get out and wheel him back myself. He never showed signs of struggle and seemed to have studied the road long enough to find the smooth points. After what seemed like 30 minutes we finally reached a gate. The man wheeled past the gate to the back corner of the property to what looked like a small shed. The property was shared with another family in a larger home located in front of the mans home. From what I could see there was no relation or connection.


We got out of the car and headed to the back corner of where the man was waiting. He showed us his home which included 2 more wheelchairs, a bed covered with mosquito nets, a few clothes, and a bucket. It was too dark for interviewing so we moved the interview outside.

His name was Blanc. I found this ironic because he was lighter skinned and other Haitians tend to tease light skinned natives calling them blanc (white). I wondered if it was a nickname until he showed us his identification card. The card read exactly Blanc, Blanc Thezan. We then asked him his earthquake story. Surprisingly his handicap was not a result of the earthquake but from amputation many years ago. He lost first leg when he was 29 from an unknown sickness and the second leg a few years later from the same sickness. We then asked if he believed in Jesus Christ. He shared that the only way he is living today is because the Lord has been providing for him his entire life. He said he never knows when his next meal will be and that doesn't scare him because he has enough faith that God will provide. He said doesn't cook because it's too hard to make meals from his wheelchair due to its height. He eats from the street when given money off of the street. Blanc shared sometimes he obtains hundreds of dollars from people on the street but doesn't keep it. He gives to others in need and then uses enough to get him by for the day. I asked what he does for health care and he said he has a few doctors that know him and care for him when needed. It is not close to his home by any means and can actually take up to 3 hours by wheelchair. He says he rarely has to worry about his health because the Lord has provided him with good health since his amputations. Blanc seems to be very well respected in the community. Cars make way for the path he travels and people in his neighborhood care more than judge.

I asked Blanc if he could change anything in his life would he and he quickly answered no. He would never accept a million dollars because he believes he is more rich than those with all of the money. He has God and that is enough for him.

Before we left we realized Blanc had not eaten dinner so we gave him enough money to get him through the week. He accepted and we thanked him for his time and story. On our way back to the car Blanc shouted to read 2nd Corinthians 10:17. It simply states, "But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”


It's the simple things in Haiti that always mean the most to me. This man lives such a simple life and puts his life in the hands of God everyday. I think it's so inspiring how much faith he carries. He seemed happy overall and when it was time to leave I found myself at peace with the life he lives. I usually leave situations here in Haiti wanting to change lives or improve living conditions but after hearing his story I truly felt God will take care of him. Before hearing his story I wanted to get him an automatic wheelchair, new clothes, a ramp to get inside his home, a stove, new bed, etc. Learning his story instilled faith inside of me and leaving was more comforting than I thought it was going to be. I'm so glad I spoke from my mind when passing the man in the wheelchair...

 Blanc Thezan

Entryway to his home