In 2009, Alton Paas’ life changed in an instant.
After an accident caused a spinal cord injury, he suddenly found himself navigating a world he had never truly considered before. A world where getting from one place to another was difficult, independence disappeared overnight, and even something as simple as leaving the house, exercising, or getting a glass of water suddenly required help.
“When this happened to me, it became a completely different world that I was not familiar with,” he says.
During his recovery, Alton traveled abroad several times for rehabilitation and treatment. There, he saw how ongoing care, movement, and accessibility could improve someone’s quality of life. Back home in Curaçao, he realized that many people living with physical disabilities or neurological conditions did not have access to those same opportunities once rehabilitation ended.
That realization marked the beginning of the Alton Paas Foundation.
In 2012, together with his family and a close group of supporters, Alton launched the foundation with one goal in mind: creating a future without limitations for people with physical disabilities and neurological challenges. At first, the focus was mainly on helping people continue exercising after rehabilitation, so they would not lose the progress they fought so hard to achieve. But over the years, the foundation evolved into something much larger.
Today, the organization’s exercise center in Colon supports people living with paralysis, stroke, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, mobility limitations, and other neurological conditions. Some arrive in wheelchairs, while others struggle with balance, walking, or chronic pain. Each person receives a tailored exercise plan to improve strength, mobility, energy, independence, and overall quality of life.
But for Alton, the mission has always gone beyond physical exercise. “We want people to participate in the community again,” he explains. “To live their lives fully.”
He describes what that vision looks like in everyday life. “A mother in a wheelchair taking her child to school. A group of friends is having a drink together, and one of them has a physical limitation. Those moments matter. That’s inclusion.”
Inside the exercise center, victories are often deeply personal. One older gentleman arrived after suffering a stroke. He lived with one of his children, who helped care for him every day. His biggest wish was not something grand. He simply wanted to be able to get a glass of water himself. “After exercising with us, he was finally able to get up by himself and walk to the fridge,” Alton says. For others, it may sound small, but for him, it meant freedom.
The foundation also became a place where people could connect with others facing similar challenges. Many clients are older adults who spend much of their time isolated at home. Coming to the center gives them not only physical support but also social connection, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
As the foundation grew, another issue became impossible to ignore. Even when people regained strength and confidence, many still struggled with something basic: transportation.
In 2015, the organization launched Wheelee, an accessible transportation service designed specifically for people with mobility limitations and wheelchair users. Unlike traditional medical transport, Wheelee focuses on helping people participate in everyday life.
"We’re not only taking people to medical appointments,” Alton explains. “We’re taking them to church, to dinner, to a party, to the salon, to celebrate New Year’s. We want people to enjoy life again."
The service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year, allowing wheelchair users to travel comfortably together with family or friends. For many families, it has become much more than transportation.
Alton remembers one parent sharing how their child had become depressed after spending most of their time at home because of their disability. One day, Wheelee transported them to the Seaquarium. “The moment they entered the vehicle, their face completely lit up,” he says. “That excitement alone showed us how important this service really is.”
Keeping all of this running takes an enormous amount of effort. The organization now operates with trainers, drivers, administrators, board members, advisors, and more than 50 volunteers who support projects, events, and daily operations. Yet despite its growing impact, the foundation continues to charge social prices far below the actual cost of its services because many of the people it supports simply cannot afford more.
That is why donations remain essential.
“Every donation helps somebody improve their quality of life,” Alton says. “Maybe they experience less pain. Maybe they sleep better. Maybe they have enough strength to drive again. Maybe they will become more independent. Every story matters.”
To make supporting the foundation easier, the organization introduced Sentoo into its daily operations. Donations, invoices, transport bookings, and payments can now be handled digitally through payment links and QR codes, making the process faster and more accessible for both clients and donors. “We try to make donating as simple as possible,” Alton explains. “If there are too many steps, people forget or give up. This way, they can support immediately.”
For the Alton Paas Foundation, every contribution helps move Curaçao closer to the future they envision: one where disability does not lead to isolation and where everyone has the opportunity to fully participate in community life.
If you would like to support the Alton Paas Foundation and help create a more inclusive and accessible Curaçao, you can donate directly here or visit their website for more information.
