KOMU8 and the PET Project honored The Culture that Crawls by holding a dinner and broadcast special on December 11th. While PET volunteers and supporters gathered, KOMU8 broadcast an interactive special where viewers had a chance to text, email, call, tweet and Facebook comments during the show and see their comments appear on the air. There is also a text line where you can donate to the PET Project. (All you have to do is text 20222 with the words ‘iSupportPET’) We had more comments than we could post online, so here are some examples of what some people had to say:

“This is so sad to see people having to live this way. Everyone watching needs to send that text and donate the ten bucks.”

“Thank You for reminding us we have what we need and many more do not! We are blessed!”

“I just had knee surgery and can’t get around very well YET. I can’t imagine feeling so helpless and hopeless long-term.”

“Thanks for helping your viewers learn about those in other countries who can’t walk and the challenges that they face. Also for letting people know how they can help. Your stories have been very educational”

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Hidden in corners, forgotten, and never once given a chance. In many cases, the lives of the disabled in the developing world is heartbreaking. KOMU8′s Alex Rozier takes one last look at a problem and a reality shattering families worldwide.

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The Culture That Crawls: Part Five

Thumbnail image for The Culture That Crawls: Part Five December 3, 2010

The first night on assignment in Guatemala David Vanningen the Chief Executive Officer of Hope Haven International told me the need is great for all people in Guatemala, but even more so for people with disabilities. That statement turned out to be so very true. Driving along the countryside I saw living situations like I [...]

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The numbers behind the culture that crawls

Thumbnail image for The numbers behind the culture that crawls November 23, 2010

KOMU 8′s Sarah Hill shared this latest The Culture that Crawls story. She looked at what it takes to help pick up the hundreds of thousands of people who crawl. The donations are not coming in like they used to. If you can help fund a PET or a wheelchair, please visit the “How to [...]

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Culture that Crawls: Part 3

Thumbnail image for Culture that Crawls: Part 3 November 16, 2010

When you see someone down on the ground, crawling on all fours, it takes you a while to process exactly what you’re seeing. Is that an animal? Surely that’s not how that person usually gets around? Why isn’t that person using a wheelchair? Those are just some of the random thoughts that went through my [...]

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The journey to Jessica

Thumbnail image for The journey to Jessica November 15, 2010

It’s a journey unlike anything I’ve ever been apart of, and frankly, when I stepped off the plane I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I’ve always heard people tell me “be thankful for what you have,” but it really doesn’t hit home until you see the conditions some people are living [...]

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The Culture that Crawls: Part Two

Thumbnail image for The Culture that Crawls: Part Two November 14, 2010

Here is the second compilation on KOMU-TV8. It aired for the first time on November 12, 2010. Dick Rutgers is chronicling his time with Jessica and other children in need in Guatemala in his own blog. You can visit it at blogs.dickrutgers.com. He has an updated picture of a much healthier Jessica.

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The Culture That Crawls: Part One

Thumbnail image for The Culture That Crawls: Part One November 9, 2010

Here is the first compilation on KOMU-TV. It aired for the first time on November 8, 2010.

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Juan Geraldo Salvador

Thumbnail image for Juan Geraldo Salvador October 20, 2010

Juan Geraldo Salvador has had polio since he was a year old. Now 30, he’s spent nearly every day of his life disabled. Salvador considers himself one of the fortunate ones to have received a wheelchair, but in the beginning of September he received a P.E.T. or Personal Energy Transportation device. “I now will be [...]

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Isaias Vasquez

Thumbnail image for Isaias Vasquez October 20, 2010

For much of Isaias Vasquez’s professional life he’s worked as a carpenter, but when Mark Richard spoke to him about opportunities at the Hope Haven wheelchair factory, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. Vasquez has had polio since he was one year old and spent his whole life disabled. Now, he has the opportunity [...]

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