New wheelchairs for 85 disabled
Donation helps special needs pupils’ mobility
SPECIAL needs pupils from Merryvale and Lonwabo School in Port Elizabeth are the recipients of 85 new wheelchairs. The Wheelchair Foundation, in partnership with Splitting Image Taxidermy, handed over wheelchairs to disadvantaged pupils to replace old and no longer functioning ones.
Splitting Image Taxidermy managing director Doug Cockcroft said since partnering with the foundation in 2011, the Port Elizabeth region had received more than 400 donated wheelchairs.
“We partnered with The Wheelchair Foundation, a non-profit organisation, leading an international effort to create awareness of the needs and abilities of people with physical disabilities.
“We wanted to promote the joy of giving and to deliver a wheelchair to every child, teen and adult that needs one, but cannot afford one.
“This partnership aims to deliver hope, mobility and independence,” Cockcroft said.
Merryvale School principal Mario Engelbrecht said the school had faced many difficulties.
“Special needs schools struggle with various challenges, but donations like these assist and make life easier for our children, who are all in need.
“Children don’t have wheelchairs at home, now they can be mobile at home,” Engelbrecht said.
Lonwabo Special School principal Wanele Klaasen said pupils were struggling academically because of their dire need for wheelchairs.
“Pupils were unable to do physiotherapy properly because of how worn out their old wheelchairs were and therapists couldn’t teach the pupils proper seating, but these wheelchairs will change that.
“We have been given 50 wheelchairs and I’m sure that the situation of my pupils will improve,” Klaasen said.
Wheelchairs were very expensive and many parents were unable to afford them, parent Paul Hand said.
“So many children don’t have any wheelchairs at home.
“This donation will make a difference to each child, they will feel more uplifted and they’ll be able to do more activities,” Hand said.
Merryvale Grade 4 pupil Lulonke Nombande, 10, said he was happy about his new chair and couldn’t wait to show his family.
“It’s beautiful and red, and I really like it.
“It moves faster than my old chair and I know my mommy will also like it,” Lulonke said.
John Nell collected a wheelchair for his mother.
“My mom had her leg amputated. With the old wheelchair you can’t put adaptations on, with these ones you can.
“I can get her in the car easily, and she feels more mobile.”