Artscape chief gets jab, urges disabled to follow suit

ENCOURAGING people living with disabilities to get vaccinated against Covid-19, Artscape Theatre Centre chief executive Dr Marlene le Roux said she’s relieved to have finally had hers.

Le Roux, 53, contracted polio as a child during the polio pandemic as she was not vaccinated, and she currently lives with all the challenges of people with disabilities.

Upon receiving her first Pfizer shot yesterday, Le Roux urged everyone with a disability to get vaccinated. “I’m feeling relieved that I’ve finally gotten vaccinated. The nurses and staff members were friendly and it was world-class treatment.

“If you’re disabled and have no access to transport, my plea is for the government and health department to vaccinate those at home or at schools. It’s unfortunate that those with disabilities are not taken into account, for example, (people) in a wheelchair will need transport to and from the centre where they’ll get vaccinated.

“It’s important for the government and community to work together in ensuring that people with disabilities get transportation and vaccinations, and there should also be a walk-in process for those with disabilities,” she said.

Le Roux added that people with disabilities should be treated the same as others. “I had polio as a child because I was not vaccinated, that’s why to me it has become a personal matter. I’m always urging people to get vaccinated especially if you’re disabled or suffering from other conditions.

“We must all stand together, get our vaccines so that things can go back to normal.

“Businesses need to operate and many have lost their jobs. For example, most artists aren’t able to perform due to the rising cases of Covid19. If the majority of people can get vaccinated, just maybe as artists we’ll be able to perform and get our jobs back,” she said.