Better wheels for wheelchair users

‘Mobilise Manguzi’ is a fund-raising initiative launched by two wheelchair users in this far-flung town of northern Zululand, to assist other wheelchair-bound people navigate the region’s harsh, sandy terrain.

Headed by physiotherapist, manager and clinical supervisor at Manguzi Hospital, Maryke Bezuidenhout, the initiative aims to harness the experience and expertise of community members living with spinal cord injuries to support fellow disabled individuals with the necessary tools to thrive despite their disability.

To set the programme in motion, Vusi Masinga and Sebenzisa Ndlazi have launched a Back-a-Buddy crowdfunding campaign to purchase two new quad bikes.

For wheelchair users, getting around eManguzi is difficult to say the least, with the area’s thick beach sand roads making travelling virtually impossible.

‘Even with a rural active wheelchair, propelling through the thick sand for any distance is virtually impossible,’ said Bezuidenhout.

‘Bush taxis only follow specific routes and often charge double for wheelchairs.

‘This makes general day-to-day life, accessing health and welfare services, building a business, socialising and participating in community activities by wheelchair users a nightmare.’

The ‘buddy’ programme pairs up new, struggling wheelchair users with those who are more experienced and who become role models to those who are still coming to terms with their disability.

‘People with recent and old spinal cord injuries simply relate better and listen better to people who have been through the same thing.’

And what better people to be those role models than Masinga and Ndlazi, who both lost the use of their legs through accidents and who overcame the emotional and physical trauma.

Masinga endured particularly trying times after his wife left him to his own devices shortly after his accident.

‘Vusi had no one to take him to the nearby hospital during the early stages of his rehabilitation, leaving him to recover from pressure sores and major depression on his own,’ said Bezuidenhout.

He now looks after his children by himself, runs two businesses – repairing wheelchairs and growing gum trees for local production – and provides peer support to fellow wheelchair users.

Ndlazi became paraplegic from a mine blast and, eight years later, became the first support for his wife who also became paraplegic.

He is highly motivated and herds his own cattle from his wheelchair, erected the kraal fence by himself and is supervising the building of an extension to his home.

Through the crowdfunding campaign, the duo have raised R15 000 of their R70 000 target.

Once they buy their quad bikes to better conduct the outreach programme, they will focus on raising funds for quad bikes for

other wheelchair users, helping them to better navigate eManguzi’s difficult terrain.

HAVE YOUR SAY

Like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter.

For news straight to your phone invite us:

WhatsApp – 072 069 4169

Instagram – zululand_observer