Disability is not an inability (Video)
To highlight Disability Awareness Month, Bertha Gxowa Hospital collaborated with Lerato Sethibe, a Miss Albinism SA finalist, to raise awareness for disabled persons in Germiston.
Disability is not an inability but a different ability.
To highlight Disability Awareness Month, Bertha Gxowa Hospital collaborated with Lerato Sethibe, a Miss Albinism SA finalist, to raise awareness for disabled persons in Germiston.
Thabile Mkhatshwa, communications officer of the Germiston hospital, said they were happy to announce the collaboration with Lerato who is dedicated to raising awareness on disability and albinism.
“Lerato uses her condition and how it has affected her to empower others. She also conducts patient education at the Bertha Gxowa Hospital waiting for areas, and hosts parental classes for moms and pregnant women among other initiatives.
“This initiative has allowed me to raise my voice in creating more awareness in community hospitals and schools. It has also helped me grow my modelling career,” said Lerato.
The 30-year-old model said she aims to help people understand the challenges that persons with albinism and other disabilities face.
“I also explain the role the community could play in assisting homes that have people with albinism or disabled persons.”
Lerato added she assists parents with the challenges they face when their children are disabled.
“I talk to pregnant women about the possibilities of having a child with albinism or a disabled child. I inform them about challenges that may arise while giving birth to a child with albinism or a disability.
“I also inform them of steps to follow if they need professional help from disability organisations.”
Lerato said educating her community about her condition has taken her out of her comfort zone and helped reach out to many people.
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“I am grateful for this collaboration which has enabled me to experience this wonderful journey. I am delighted to see people desire the change I am perusing.”
Lerato is a Germiston resident currently; however, she was born in Kroonstad, Free State.
By day, the Miss Albinism SA finalist is a production administrator for Zebediela Media Productions.
“I am also an actress on the soapie Tefeletxo The Vengeance. I am a poet, an evangelist, I love dancing, music, public speaking and reading books.”
Lerato added she started modelling in 2018.
“During that time, I felt ready to do what I love and am passionate about. I am a person who doesn’t want to live with regrets. I want to be the change the nation is looking for and I believe I am that change, especially to they albinism society.”
In future, Lerato sees herself as a leader.
“I see myself becoming an albinism and disability activist. I want to become the best actress with my own warm-loving family and becoming a South Africa and an international top model.”
She shared tips for aspiring models who want to succeed and make a change in society.
“Love and accept yourself. Know what you love and are passionate about.”
Lerato’s message to persons with disabilities is they are God’s original design.
“You were wonderfully and fearfully made. It’s your month to rise and shine for your light has come.”
The model said she would like to dispel some of the myths about people with albinism.
“These myths include that we don’t die but vanish, being sexually active with a woman with albinism cures diseases, albinism people’s body parts make you wealthy and albinism is contagious. These are not true,” she said.
“We are human beings, born the same way as you. Albinism is not a contagious condition. Stop discriminating, marginalising and stereotyping us. We want to live free in our own country without fear,” said the model.
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