Orthotics firm gives gift of mobility after years of pain
Valentine’s Day this year was extra special for Nomthandazo Zenani after East London orthotics and prosthetics company Marissa Nel & Associates measured, manufactured and fitted her with a custom-made orthosis on Sunday.
Zenani, 65, who has been struggling to get an orthosis —a hi-tech brace — through state facilities for almost nine years, suffered a severe tibia and fibula fracture as a child.
The fracture resulted in minimum movement and instability in Zenani’s lower limb as well as a 4cm leg-length discrepancy which requires her to use a below-knee orthosis in the form of a caliper.
Marissa Nel & Associates also provided Zenani with built-up shoes to compensate for the leglength difference.
“In just two weeks Nel & Associates had it ready for me.
“It’s not hard and heavy, it’s soft and they gave me nice takkies too,” said Zenani, who lives in Mdantsane. “Now I can walk around and do all the things that I need to do.”
Zenani said she had been unable to walk long distances over the past few years.
“I even stopped visiting people because of this. I just had to stay home all the time because it was painful and my leg was swollen. I am so happy now.
“They also said I can visit them any time if anything is wrong, but it’s fine now and very comfortable,” Zenani said.
Company founder and director Marissa Nel said she and her team were moved to help after
Masimanyane Women’s Support Centre CEO Lesley-ann Foster contacted them and shared Zenani’s story.
“Nomthandazo has really been struggling to walk and do her daily tasks without her orthosis and built-up shoes, which assist in her mobility and comfort.
“She also started to suffer from backache due to the leglength discrepancy.
“Lesley-ann was desperate to assist.
“Both of us are members of the Businesswomen’s Association Circle of Champions, which is a network of businesswomen who strive to support each other in every way we can,” said Nel.
Nel and her team’s good deeds, however, do not start or end with Nomthandazo.
The company has recently committed to manufacturing and fitting 3D printed prosthetic hands on disadvantaged amputee children in the Eastern Cape.
This week, they started fundraising to get Bilateral Flex-run with Nike sole blades for teenager Ntando Nokama, a wheelchair basketball player. He attends Mdantsane’s Vukuhambe School for the Disabled.
“Ntando has limitations to movement with his prosthetic legs as the static feet give no spring or ankle movement to allow him to run and move freely around the basketball court,” said Nel.
“We have a lot of compression stockings available which we have committed to donating to anyone who needs [them].
“In return, we will be asking for a donation towards the Rocking the Stocking fundraising campaign set up to exclusively raise funds towards the Bilateral Flex-run with Nike sole blades, which will allow Ntando’s dream of running on the court to come true.”
Nel, who founded the company in 2001, said there was nothing better than being able to help people and give them the gift of mobility.
“I absolutely love my job and have an amazing team who share my passion for helping others.
“There is little in life that can compare with the joy a person experiences when gaining mobility and can live independently. We try to assist wherever we can. We view it as a privilege to help others.”