Car is essential for brave quadraplegic

Ndivhuwo Mukwevho

Born and raised in the deep rural area of Tshilamba outside Thohoyandou in North West, Tinyiko Gwambe, 22, has no limbs and is wheelchair-bound, but has never allowed her disability to stop her quest to reach for her dreams.

She has no arms or legs, but is well on her way to becoming a qualified social worker.

Gwambe, pictured, believes that education can open any door for her. She was born with tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare condition that left her without limbs. The syndrome can also cause severe malformations of other parts of the body, including the face, nervous system and skeleton.

Now a fourth-year social work student at the University of Pretoria, Gwambe has managed well despite her disability. She has so far obtained 16 distinctions towards her degree.

She said her mother, who died in 2011, encouraged her to take education seriously so she would be independent. “My mom was my pillar of strength. She used to motivate and encourage me to take my education seriously,” Gwambe said.

Gwambe now needs a custom-made car in order to drive herself around while doing her practical work as part of her degree. But her family cannot afford one and because of this she faces the risk of having to drop out of university without graduating.

“The career I chose requires one to do practical work before graduating and to carry out work in the field at various times. But due to my condition I am struggling to do some of the work because it is difficult for me to use public transport as very little is user friendly for someone with my condition,” said Gwambe.

Her dream is to enroll for a master’s degree, but this can only happen if she manages to raise R350 000 for a customised car which will be imported from the United Kingdom with assistance from a Cape-based company.

“My father is a pensioner and cannot afford to raise this kind of money. I have tried approaching private companies without success. I will never allow my condition to stand in the way of my dreams, I have come too far to give up now. Growing up in rural areas with my condition was never easy but with the support I get from my family I am here today. I want to inspire other disabled people,” said Gwambe.

With the assistance of her sister Willemina Gwambe she has started a social media campaign but has so far managed to raise about R6 000.

“I am appealing to everyone who can afford to help me to give what they can. I believe if I manage to obtain a master’s degree my journey will be enough to motivate other disabled people – especially the ones in rural areas with limited opportunities,” added Gwambe. – ANA-Health-E! News