In 1996 Joe Bodanza,
a retired teacher, joined a friend on a visit to Vietnam — but
his vacation took an unexpected turn.
Having experienced
the trauma of polio as a child, he was particularly sensitive to the
sight of the many children in the villages he visited who were severely
crippled by the disease — and even more disturbed by the fact
that they were left untreated.
He couldn't resist
bringing one child back to the United States for treatment. That was
the beginning. Since then his "random act of kindness" has
become a life's work.
Thanks to the
Shriner's Hospitals in Springfield and Boston, medical treatment is
available at no cost, but it still costs an average of $5,000 per
child to cover airfare and living expenses while in the United States.
"Mr. Joe" (as the children refer to him) began with his
own funds. He
was only able to continue his work through the generosity of others
and now Child Medical Connection is a nonprofit (501c3) organization
so donations are tax deductible.
The program
has a growing waiting list of children who suffer from polio, scoliosis,
burns and other crippling disorders, but resources are limited.
The needs are
not only financial. Legal help is greatly appreciated, since all visa
applications are subjected to extraordinary scrutiny in these dangerous
times. Volunteers
are also needed as host families and for transportation to hospitals
for treatment. Others provide social experiences — family visits,
outings, ball games, and just plain fun!
