Hundreds show they care for disabled in Nappy Run
HUNDREDS of people converged on the Johannesburg Zoo on Saturday to take part in the seventh annual Nappy Run fun run in a show of solidarity with, and support of, thousands of South African children with disabilities.
The Nappy Run fun run was the highlight of a two-month National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) campaign to champion the rights of South Africa’s marginalised and forgotten children.
It also marked the start of the country’s Disability Rights Awareness Month (Dram 2017) which ends with the marking of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
NCPD national director Therina Wentzel said: “Children with disabilities across South Africa say a huge ‘thank you’ to every person who either donated a pack of nappies or contributed money for buying nappies.
“Nappy donors have made a huge difference to the lives of these youngsters, and have helped them gain the dignity they need to go to school and be included into everyday community life.
“Inclusion with dignity is a vitally important component of the development of all children. It’s all too often denied to children with disabilities, and especially to children with disabilities from poor communities and families.
“These youngsters are also denied the education that will enable them eventually to take their places as contributing members of the economy and of society.”
Wentzel said while the focus of the Nappy Run was on “raising” enough nappies to see children with disabilities through the year, the fight for their inclusion into public life – and for their access to education – is a year-round task for the NCPD and for the NCPD’s affiliated provincial associations which care for South Africa’s children with disabilities.
She said the purpose of the annual run was to remind South Africa – and South African decisionand policymakers – that the human rights of children with disabilities must be honoured, respected and secured.
“The NCPD will make this its focus in November as part of its observance of Dram 2017.
“We all need to take action. Leaders must commit to working for and investing in accessibility for persons with disabilities on all levels.
“Without commitment and action, our intentions remain exactly that: intentions only.”
More than 900 nappies were raised at the fun run and the NCPD expected more nappies to be donated as the 2017 Nappy Run campaign continues next month.
However, for children with disabilities, there’s no such thing as having enough nappies, Wentzel added.
“NCPD, and children with disabilities across South Africa, appeal to the nation to donate a pack of nappies, or money for buying nappies.
“We appeal to the manufacturers, marketers and retailers of nappies to donate these commodities in bulk to enable children with disabilities to go to school, avoid the health problems that dog them, and become included members of South Africa’s richly diverse communities and society.
“South Africa’s children with disabilities are enormously grateful to Rebosis Property Fund, chief sponsor of the Nappy Run campaign.
“We also have amazing co-sponsor help from Marsh Africa and the National Lotteries Commission,” said Wentzel.
Johannesburg Zoo charity race brings in more than 900 nappies