Kwa-Thema – Casual Day, which is commemorated on September 1, is dedicated to celebrating persons living with disabilities.
“This theme (Share a Smile) promotes kindness, goodwill and positivity, supporting persons with disabilities in South Africa.
“A smile can trigger a positive chain reaction of wonderfully, uncontrollable proportions,” said the National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) national director, Therina Wentzel.
Mandla Mabuza, who was born with cerebral palsy (CP), shared his experiences of being a disabled person and having to be wheelchair-bound his whole life.
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He explained CP as a disease that affects a person who was born without oxygen and that it affects the development of the brain and muscle movement. He is paralysed on the left side of his body.
“Being a disabled person, I grew up in a family which loved me. They managed to accept me as I was and therefore, it was easy for me to also accept myself,” he said.
Mabuza said families with disabled children should give them love and learn to listen to them while also providing emotional support.
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“The disabled should be taught independence. They should learn how to take care of themselves, clean up when they’ve made a mess and also take care of their households,” he said.
Mabuza said love is what makes him smile. He is happy that he grew up in a family full of love.
“I am now sharing love with other disabled people, that’s why I am involved in a disability movement,” he said.
Mabuza concluded by saying unconditional love can make the disabled feel normal, therefore, they should be given love.
