{"id":79454,"date":"2025-11-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-11-19T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/?p=79454"},"modified":"2025-11-13T12:00:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-13T04:00:17","slug":"supporting-families-with-assistive-equipment-tzu-chis-dongda-assistive-device-outlet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/?p=79454","title":{"rendered":"Supporting Families with Assistive Equipment\u2014Tzu Chi\u2019s Dongda Assistive Device Outlet"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"79454\" class=\"elementor elementor-79454\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-177cf089 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"177cf089\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-418cd206\" data-id=\"418cd206\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30c4dfc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30c4dfc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.1 - 13-11-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-stacked .elementor-drop-cap{background-color:#818a91;color:#fff}.elementor-widget-text-editor.elementor-drop-cap-view-framed .elementor-drop-cap{color:#818a91;border:3px solid;background-color:transparent}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap{margin-top:8px}.elementor-widget-text-editor:not(.elementor-drop-cap-view-default) .elementor-drop-cap-letter{width:1em;height:1em}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap{float:left;text-align:center;line-height:1;font-size:50px}.elementor-widget-text-editor .elementor-drop-cap-letter{display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t<p><strong>By Zhang Li-yun<\/strong><br \/>Translated by Wu Hsiao-ting <br \/>Photos by Hsiao Yiu-hwa<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f35032e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f35032e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-610cf55e\" data-id=\"610cf55e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50d5bbef elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"50d5bbef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.1 - 13-11-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-divider{--divider-border-style:none;--divider-border-width:1px;--divider-color:#2c2c2c;--divider-icon-size:20px;--divider-element-spacing:10px;--divider-pattern-height:24px;--divider-pattern-size:20px;--divider-pattern-url:none;--divider-pattern-repeat:repeat-x}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{font-size:15px;line-height:1;max-width:95%}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__element{margin:0 var(--divider-element-spacing);-ms-flex-negative:0;flex-shrink:0}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-icon{font-size:var(--divider-icon-size)}.elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider-separator{display:-webkit-box;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;margin:0;direction:ltr}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator{-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center}.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text .elementor-divider-separator:before{display:block;content:\"\";border-bottom:0;-webkit-box-flex:1;-ms-flex-positive:1;flex-grow:1;border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:first-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider-separator:before{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-left .elementor-divider__element{margin-left:0}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider .elementor-divider-separator>.elementor-divider__svg:last-of-type{-webkit-box-flex:0;-ms-flex-positive:0;flex-grow:0;-ms-flex-negative:100;flex-shrink:100}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider-separator:after{content:none}.elementor-widget-divider--element-align-right .elementor-divider__element{margin-right:0}.elementor-widget-divider:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_text):not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line_icon) .elementor-divider-separator{border-top:var(--divider-border-width) var(--divider-border-style) var(--divider-color)}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern{--divider-border-style:none}.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern.elementor-widget-divider--view-line .elementor-divider-separator,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:after,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not(.elementor-widget-divider--view-line) .elementor-divider-separator:before,.elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern:not([class*=elementor-widget-divider--view]) .elementor-divider-separator{width:100%;min-height:var(--divider-pattern-height);-webkit-mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;mask-size:var(--divider-pattern-size) 100%;-webkit-mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);mask-repeat:var(--divider-pattern-repeat);background-color:var(--divider-color);-webkit-mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url);mask-image:var(--divider-pattern-url)}.elementor-widget-divider--no-spacing{--divider-pattern-size:auto}.elementor-widget-divider--bg-round{--divider-pattern-repeat:round}.rtl .elementor-widget-divider .elementor-divider__text{direction:rtl}.e-con-inner>.elementor-widget-divider,.e-con>.elementor-widget-divider{width:var(--container-widget-width,100%)}<\/style>\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-63b938b3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"63b938b3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-24f93fe6\" data-id=\"24f93fe6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-331056e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"331056e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation_mobile&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em><strong>Tzu Chi has more than 130 assistive device outlets in Taiwan. The one at the Dongda Campus in Taichung began in 2023 with just a few women but has since grown to over 150 volunteers, delivering nearly 500 devices each month to families needing such equipment. How did they manage such a feat so quickly?<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2711f0bb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2711f0bb\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4be6d25c\" data-id=\"4be6d25c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70c92274 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"70c92274\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-56b8c289 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"56b8c289\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4401159c\" data-id=\"4401159c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-653508d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"653508d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<style>\/*! elementor - v3.8.1 - 13-11-2022 *\/\n.elementor-widget-image{text-align:center}.elementor-widget-image a{display:inline-block}.elementor-widget-image a img[src$=\".svg\"]{width:48px}.elementor-widget-image img{vertical-align:middle;display:inline-block}<\/style>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-31.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-31.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-31-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-31-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-31-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-31-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-31-330x220.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5a5255d2 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5a5255d2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4674b7c9\" data-id=\"4674b7c9\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24c38610 elementor-drop-cap-yes elementor-drop-cap-view-default elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24c38610\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;drop_cap&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It wasn\u2019t yet nine on a Saturday morning, but several people were already waiting outside the assistive device outlet at Tzu Chi\u2019s Dongda Campus in Taichung, central Taiwan. Moments later, volunteer Li Guan-hui (\u674e\u51a0\u6167) arrived in a hurry, her arms loaded with bags. \u201cSorry I\u2019m late! But we don\u2019t open until nine!\u201d she called out with a smile.<\/p><p>The outlet\u2019s office, about a hundred square meters (1,080 ft\u00b2), serves as a hub where people can apply for or return assistive devices. It resembles a medical supply store inside, with second-hand wheelchairs, walkers, suction machines, bedside rails, commode chairs, and other home-care equipment neatly organized and labeled for easy access. Each item has been thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and repaired if necessary. Donations from companies\u2014such as diapers, underpads, and nutritional supplements\u2014are also available free of charge to families in need.<\/p><p>That morning, Mrs. Lin and her son arrived to return a wheelchair they had borrowed a year earlier. They hoped to exchange it for a sturdier model for her husband, who has Parkinson\u2019s disease and had become much heavier over the past year\u2014now weighing 96 kilograms (210 pounds). Volunteer Huang Sha-li (\u9ec3\u6c99\u9e97) brought out a wheelchair, but Li Guan-hui thought the seat was still too narrow. She quickly headed downstairs to the storage area and returned with another model.<\/p><p>\u201cThis one is heavier but more stable,\u201d Li explained. \u201cThe backrest can be adjusted so he can recline and rest. Just be sure to set the wheelchair\u2019s speed lower to prevent tipping.\u201d Ever cautious and mindful, she also reminded Mrs. Lin to always engage the wheelchair\u2019s brakes before moving her husband into and out of the chair.<\/p><p>Mr. Lin had been diagnosed with Parkinson\u2019s six or seven years earlier. Because their son worked full time, Mrs. Lin had left her job to care for him. Later, the couple moved from Taipei to Daya, Taichung. A volunteer at the hospital where Mr. Lin received treatment told Mrs. Lin about the nearby Tzu Chi outlet, praising its wide selection of well-maintained equipment and suggesting she apply. That was how Mrs. Lin first learned of the service.<\/p><p>\u201cI\u2019m very grateful to Tzu Chi for filling the gaps in our household budget [by providing assistive devices free of charge]. They have really eased our burden,\u201d Mrs. Lin said. \u201cI care for my husband entirely on my own. Thankfully, a Tzu Chi sister often comes by to chat and guide me in caring for him. Without her, I would have fallen into depression.\u201d<\/p><p>Just after Mrs. Lin and her son left, another woman arrived with two young people to apply for equipment. Nurse Su Wei-ling (\u8607\u744b\u82d3), a member of the Tzu Chi International Medical Association, stepped forward to help. Such scenes are typical at the outlet, which serves many people each day. Two to three volunteers are on duty from Monday to Saturday. Nurse Su volunteers on Saturdays, her day off from work. She also shares her expertise on assistive devices with other volunteers, drawing on her nursing background.<\/p><p>Although the outlet runs very smoothly today, it started only two years ago. The story of how it came about is worth telling.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-40c6d51 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"40c6d51\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-047fe7c\" data-id=\"047fe7c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d92929 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0d92929\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"868\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-27.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-27.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-27-300x181.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-27-1024x617.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-27-768x463.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fdecc1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fdecc1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Dongda assistive device outlet is bright and spacious, with equipment neatly categorized and arranged. <span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>Li Guan-hui<\/em><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f1c5f9 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3f1c5f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-333039f7 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"333039f7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1d484bd\" data-id=\"1d484bd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5a55eb79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5a55eb79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>From small beginnings<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26d0ea67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"26d0ea67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In the summer of 2023, a woman visited the Dongda Campus seeking help. Her son had been paralyzed from the neck down in a car accident, and her family couldn\u2019t afford a specialized high-back wheelchair. Li Guan-hui happened to be giving a tour at the campus and met her. At the time, there was no assistive device outlet at Dongda, so no team was in place to take on the case.<\/p><p>As a Tzu Chi volunteer, Li was regularly visiting three Tzu Chi care recipients with spinal cord injuries, all of whom needed high-back wheelchairs and electric beds. She understood how important such devices were for these patients and how costly the equipment could be for ordinary families. Convinced that an outlet serving local residents couldn\u2019t wait, she volunteered to start one.<\/p><p>The idea of a local outlet immediately resonated with another volunteer, Zhang Xue-hui (\u5f35\u96ea\u6167). While serving at the campus recycling station, Zhang had received several calls from people asking if secondhand assistive devices were available. Her personal experience gave her a deep sense of empathy\u2014her own son has severe cerebral palsy and has relied on such equipment for rehabilitation and mobility since childhood. The two women agreed: \u201cLet\u2019s find like-minded people and do this together!\u201d<\/p><p>The courage and resolve of the two women were admirable, but many\u2014including veteran volunteer Cai Dong-wen (\u8521\u6771\u6587)\u2014were skeptical. Cai had often helped deliver discarded but still usable assistive devices from the campus recycling station to families in need. During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, he fell seriously ill and had to discontinue that work. Now, with Li deciding to start an outlet, he worried she might give up halfway and leave the work to him. He shared the same concern with other doubters: Some devices, like hospital beds, weighed nearly a hundred kilograms and sometimes had to be carried upstairs during deliveries. How could a small team of three or four women manage such heavy work?<\/p><p>Even Li\u2019s husband, Li Chang-xian (\u674e\u660c\u61b2), had his doubts. \u201cAssistive devices are usually very heavy\u2014I didn\u2019t think she could manage it,\u201d he admitted. Busy with his job and volunteer commitments, he couldn\u2019t offer much help. \u201cBut on the other hand, I trusted her resilience.\u201d To his surprise, everything moved quickly: Planning began in September 2023, the outlet officially opened in mid-October, and just three days later, on the 18th, the first delivery was completed.<\/p><p>Yan Shi-chuan (\u56b4\u4e16\u5ddd), who handles general affairs at the Dongda Campus, threw his full support behind Li. \u201cI\u2019ve got your back,\u201d he told her. \u201cJust let me know if you need anything!\u201d True to his word, he played a vital role in setting up the outlet\u2014installing shelves, organizing areas for cleaning, repairs, and storage, and often completing tasks on the very day Li made a request. Under their plan, smaller items went on display in the office, while larger devices like electric beds, transfer machines, and rehabilitation equipment were stored downstairs.<\/p><p>Whenever applications came in for large items, volunteers used two trucks to deliver them on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons. Li Chang-xian pitched in whenever possible. Wednesdays were the toughest\u2014sometimes four or five families were scheduled for deliveries, and with most male volunteers at work, it was hard to find enough help. \u201cI\u2019d choose homes that were closer to my office, stop by to help move the equipment, then head straight back to work,\u201d he recalled.<\/p><p>The couple still remembers their first Lunar New Year\u2019s Eve after the outlet opened. While most families in Taiwan were home celebrating, they were out delivering hospital beds. \u201cWe felt that we had to complete all pending requests so that families could spend the holiday in peace,\u201d they said.<\/p><p>But those days, though only a couple of years ago, seem far away. The team now has plenty of help. Whenever a delivery request is posted in the group chat, the slots are filled almost instantly\u2014and nearly always by men.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-678d7067 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"678d7067\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5c3e8e8\" data-id=\"5c3e8e8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31183705 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"31183705\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>A valued resource<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4cf3e6c7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4cf3e6c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>People who come to the Dongda Campus to apply for assistive devices include residents of Xitun District, where the campus is located, as well as several other areas in Taichung. Because the campus happens to be close to multiple hospitals and nursing facilities, in-home and institutional caregivers often recommend the outlet to families needing such equipment. Hospital case managers and doctors also inform patients about the resource.<\/p><p>Before a patient is discharged, doctors issue a pre-discharge preparation notice, advising families to prepare the necessary assistive devices. Families can apply for equipment through public assistive device centers, but such centers sometimes experience shortages of high-demand items, such as electric beds. Government subsidies are available for certain devices, but renting a full set\u2014including a hospital bed, wheelchair, walker, suction machine, and oxygen concentrator\u2014can cost upwards of NT$30,000 to 40,000 (US$1,000 to $1,330) per month, constituting a significant financial burden for many households.<\/p><p>As a result, many families turn to the Tzu Chi Eco-Friendly Assistive Device Program for help. With over 130 outlets across Taiwan, the program recycles, repairs, and provides equipment free of charge, ensuring quick access while easing financial pressure. Volunteers also deliver devices directly to households at no cost\u2014a service especially meaningful for elderly individuals living alone without transportation. Many recipients are deeply moved when volunteers personally bring equipment and set it up for them.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2c491ae elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2c491ae\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-97e9127\" data-id=\"97e9127\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0768ca elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f0768ca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"1440\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-30.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-30.jpg 960w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-30-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-30-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-30-768x1152.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ecb8b87\" data-id=\"ecb8b87\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99b5cab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"99b5cab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Volunteers check recycled wheelchairs to ensure safety, replacing any parts that are worn or broken.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31e25e8 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"31e25e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-785de58d elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"785de58d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-789fcb44\" data-id=\"789fcb44\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16e252fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"16e252fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>Helping hands<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60dfa77d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"60dfa77d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Dongda outlet team began with fewer than 20 volunteers, but by 2025, it had grown to over 150. How did this remarkable growth happen?<\/p><p>Manpower is essential for sustaining an outlet. When hands were short, solutions had to be found. Li Guan-hui often invited visitors\u2014whether they came to apply for equipment or simply tour the campus\u2014to look around the outlet, including the office and the downstairs area. She would explain the services they offered and the process of cleaning, disinfecting, and repairing devices. She used each of these encounters as an opportunity to recruit new volunteers.<\/p><p>One such visitor was Lin Qun-zhi (\u6797\u7fa4\u667a). In 2024, newly retired from the general affairs office at a school, he stopped by the Dongda Campus while out walking with his grandson. After learning about the outlet, he decided to join the team.<\/p><p>Yu Zheng-de (\u4e8e\u6b63\u5fb7), a retiree from the aerospace industry, was inspired to help because his mother had benefited from the outlet. Its efficient service and well-maintained equipment had allowed her to transition smoothly from hospital to home care. After she passed away, he began assisting with equipment maintenance and deliveries.<\/p><p>Lin Jing-wei (\u6797\u666f\u5049), who had borrowed a wheelchair for his son following a car accident, was also moved to give back. Despite managing four or five chain stores, he sets aside Wednesday afternoons to drive and help with transport.<\/p><p>Xu Wen-xian (\u8a31\u6587\u737b) signed on following the lead of his wife, Zhang Xue-hui. Because their son, as mentioned earlier, has severe cerebral palsy, Xu deeply understood the importance of assistive devices for both caregivers and patients. \u201cSince I have the ability,\u201d he said, \u201cI feel I must help more people\u2014after all, my own child has benefited from society.\u201d On one delivery, he and other volunteers encountered an elderly woman caring for both her husband and son, who had suffered strokes. \u201cWe found them using a wooden bed covered with cardboard as a mattress,\u201d he recalled. \u201cI couldn\u2019t believe such conditions still exist in Taiwan. They likely needed many things, but providing an urgently needed electric bed was the least we could do.\u201d<\/p><p>Another volunteer, Lin Zhao-ji (\u6797\u8087\u57fa), who works at a Ministry of Justice correctional facility, ran into former colleagues Lin Qun-zhi and Tu Ying-san (\u5857\u82f1\u4e09) during a visit to the outlet. \u201cThere\u2019s a magnetic quality here, a joyful energy,\u201d he said. \u201cThe team works in harmony, like brothers.\u201d Impressed, he joined as well.<\/p><p>On Saturday mornings, volunteers like these spend hours maintaining equipment. Before work begins, Lin Zhao-ji leads the team in stretching exercises. Around 1:30 p.m., they put on vests and helmets and set out to deliver devices. \u201cI\u2019m 62,\u201d Lin said, \u201cbut at the outlet, I feel my spirit leap again. One of the sisters told me, \u2018That\u2019s the Tzu Chi soul.\u2019 With this renewed energy, I believe I can continue volunteering with Tzu Chi for at least another 30 years.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4cbd3da elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-stretched elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4cbd3da\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;stretch_section&quot;:&quot;section-stretched&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-266f9f8\" data-id=\"266f9f8\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40fdf45 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"40fdf45\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-29.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-29.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-29-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-29-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-29-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-29-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-29-330x220.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9dc975f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9dc975f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Volunteers work together to maneuver a hospital bed up a narrow staircase for delivery to an applicant\u2019s room.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2ad083 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"c2ad083\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-76d0766a elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"76d0766a\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-221c0ba3\" data-id=\"221c0ba3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e661177 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e661177\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>Behind the scenes<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19c6407f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"19c6407f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Running an outlet involves many responsibilities, so having many volunteers is a great help. In addition to frontline tasks like transporting equipment to families, volunteers handle extensive behind-the-scenes work.<\/p><p>The outlet, like other Tzu Chi assistive device centers, has a strict quality control process. \u201cWe tried several brands of cleaning solutions before finally settling on oxalic acid, which effectively removes water stains and rust,\u201d Li Guan-hui explained as she scrubbed a piece of equipment. \u201cIf a device is not cleaned properly, it will be returned.\u201d<\/p><p>In the storage area, charts detailing the cleaning, disinfection, and inspection procedures for wheelchairs, suction machines, air mattresses, electric beds, and other devices are posted for volunteers to follow. For instance, a wheelchair has 15 inspection points\u2014besides checking the overall condition, volunteers make sure screw joints, bent areas, and even hidden spots are carefully cleaned, any chipped paint touched up, and screws, brakes, tires, and cushions repaired or replaced as needed. When mattress covers or the fabric parts of wheelchairs\u2014such as seat and back covers\u2014are torn or irreversibly stained, a team of skilled sewers at the campus is called on to help. They sew new replacements, ensuring the devices are both safe and visually appealing. Each item is signed off only after passing all checks.<\/p><p>\u201cA wheelchair is not sent out even if missing just one small part,\u201d Li explained. Some components are small but expensive. In such cases, Li photographs the items and coordinates with other Tzu Chi outlets to obtain replacements. \u201cSome devices are from different brands or production years, and the manufacturer no longer provides parts. In these situations, we wait for the same models to be recycled so we can combine two or three units into one functional device.\u201d<\/p><p>Maintenance extends beyond hardware. Every Saturday, the outlet hosts a workshop where nurses, rehabilitation therapists, and doctors share their expertise, helping volunteers build skills and confidence in serving clients. Li said, \u201cWe learn as we go, working together to build a strong reputation for our outlet.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0a0fa78 elementor-section-full_width elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0a0fa78\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-07e058c\" data-id=\"07e058c\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0f6d4a7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0f6d4a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Volunteer Chen Yue-hui (\u9673\u6708\u6167), a critical care nurse, checks on a patient with a nasogastric tube while delivering assistive devices to the patient\u2019s home. She also shares her nursing experience with families during such visits. <span style=\"color: #808080;\"><em>Li Guan-hui<\/em><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b59b077 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"b59b077\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-507de7a\" data-id=\"507de7a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-364292d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"364292d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1440\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-28.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-28.jpg 1440w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-28-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-28-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-28-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-28-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/11\/144-28-330x220.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1440px) 100vw, 1440px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-479dce7 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"479dce7\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f86011f\" data-id=\"f86011f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bb99720 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bb99720\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h5><strong>The power of united will<\/strong><\/h5>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2d31f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e2d31f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u201cThankfully, along the way, there have always been kindhearted people stepping in to help\u2014whether with manpower or resources,\u201d said Li. When the outlet needs tools for repairs or gloves and scrubbers for cleaning, someone appears like Santa Claus, leaving a large box of supplies at the door. Volunteers have even received gifts of fresh eggs, potatoes, fruit, and drinks from members of the public as tokens of appreciation.<\/p><p>Though still relatively new, the Dongda outlet now delivers nearly 500 items each month. Looking back on its establishment, Li shared a guiding belief: \u201cEven when something seems hard to achieve, as long as you are determined, you can make it happen. As Master Cheng Yen often says, \u2018Nothing is difficult if you set your mind to it,\u2019 and \u2018Proficiency comes from mindfulness.\u2019\u201d<\/p><p>She expressed deep gratitude for the team\u2019s support, noting how every volunteer\u2014regardless of age or the difficulty of a task\u2014does what they can to ease the burdens of those in need. In turn, they enrich their own lives. For Li, every event in life arises from countless karmic affinities, and every accomplishment depends on many such conditions converging. \u201cThat\u2019s why we must cherish every encounter and every chance to help, so that we may live without regrets,\u201d she said.<\/p><p>Summing up their journey, she concluded: \u201cI truly believe that when we combine our willpower, we can unleash limitless potential.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8f147a5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8f147a5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1253023e\" data-id=\"1253023e\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d6825a3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d6825a3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"189\" height=\"170\" src=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2022\/07\/\u82f1\u6587\u9801\u5c3e-2.png\" class=\"attachment-full size-full\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Tzu Chi has more than 130 assistive device outlets in Taiwan. The one at the Dongda Campus in Taichung began in 20\u2026 <a class=\"text-right\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/?p=79454\"><span class=\"text\">Read More <\/span><span class=\"arrow\">\u00bb<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":79389,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"pmpro_default_level":0,"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[913],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Supporting Families with Assistive Equipment\u2014Tzu Chi\u2019s Dongda Assistive Device Outlet - Tzu Chi Bimonthly<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/tcmonthly.tzuchiculture.org.tw\/?p=79454\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"zh_TW\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Supporting Families with Assistive Equipment\u2014Tzu Chi\u2019s Dongda Assistive Device Outlet - Tzu Chi Bimonthly\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Tzu Chi has more than 130 assistive device outlets in Taiwan. 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