Seven-year-old filled with delight over his new legs

LESS than two weeks after receiving prosthetic legs, seven-year-old Tshepo Rasebeka has his eyes set on playing soccer for his favourite team, Kaizer Chiefs.

The youngster from Soshanguve in Tshwane was born with a congenital abnormality which resulted in his lower limbs being amputated when he was nine months old.

His mother Asnath said Tshepo, although still active without his legs, had long wished for prosthetics.

“He would follow his friends by crawling on his stumps. He would ask me: ‘Mommy, when are my legs coming?’.”

With the help of charity organisation Jumping Kids and car rental company Avis, Tshepo was finally given legs on August 18.

The Star’s sister paper, the Pretoria News, visited Tshepo at Pretoria School for Cerebral Palsied Children during his first week of school with his new legs.

The youngster’s confidence had soared and he was bubbling over with happiness.

School physiotherapist Beverly Kapp said Tshepo had taken to his new legs immediately.

“He is extremely enthusiastic about them and has told us he would like to play soccer one day,” she said.

“He is managing a good two hours on his prosthesis and we hope within a year he will be able to walk with them full-time.” Kapp said he needed to learn to balance and to strengthen muscles he hadn’t used since he lost his legs.

Class teacher Andriette Gibhard said Tshepo’s classmates were impressed with his legs because he got to play soccer with them.

“His self-confidence has grown tremendously even though he still uses his wheelchair from time to time. Tshepo’s confidence will also help his academics in the long run. Even though some of his friends are still crawling, they are still so excited for him,” said Gibhard.

For now though the avid Kaizer Chiefs supporter said he was happy he could finally walk.

“I can’t run properly yet but I’ve been enjoying my new legs and I can’t wait until I can play soccer full-time.

Mom Asnath said it had been fulfilling to see her son so happy.

“I have seen him glow with happiness from the moment he puts them on. And that’s enough for me.”