‘Sweethearts’ on a roll with custom-made wheelchairs

FOUR young “sweethearts” have a new lease on life after receiving specialised wheelchairs.

The Sweethearts Foundation, supported by the Airports Company South Africa (Acsa), handed over four custom-made wheelchairs to beneficiaries on Wednesday last week.

The beneficiaries – Gabi van Rooyen, Nombulelo Duma, Danyaal Houlie and Imange Mtola – were selected from the foundation’s wheelchair waiting list.

Gabi’s mother, Debbie, said the donation had been a much-needed gift.

Gabi, 12, suffers from arthrogryposis, which causes some of her joints to contract, confining her to a wheelchair.

“She spends 90% of her day in her wheelchair, so it is important for it to be a good one,” Debbie said.

Gabi also has scoliosis – with her spine curving sideways – possibly from her poor posture while in the wheelchair.

“The new wheelchair will make a huge difference in her life, as the back of the chair is fitted [to support her]. She looks much more comfortable already.”

Meggan Geswint, whose son Caleb received a specialised wheelchair from the foundation last year, attested to the value it had brought to their lives.

“Caleb’s doing so well,” Meggan said. “He has become very independent with his wheelchair.”

The foundation’s marketing director, Ashley Nel, said a R60 000 donation from Acsa had helped them provide the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries.

The foundation usually raises funds by collecting and recycling plastic bottle tops and bread tags, but even a standard wheelchair would need 450kg of bottle tops or 50kg of bread tags.